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THE 



CELEBRATION 



Hundred and Fiftieth 



ANNIVERSARY 



IIMITIVE ORGANIZATION 



regatlonal Church and Society, 



FRANKLIN, CONNECTICUT, 



OCTOBER 14th, 1! 



TuTTLE, Morehouse & Taylor, Printers, 

NEW HAVEN. 

1869. 



q^n 



Note. — The accompanying map gives the location of the first settlers of 
Franklin. It covers a period extending from 1663, when the lands of West 
Farms were partly apportioned among the Original Proprietors of Norwich, 
to 1725, by which time the population had become tolerably numerous. In the 
Historical Address and in its appended notes, the reader will find the time 
and order of arrival of these settlers. The present inhabitants will also per- 
ceive by a glance at the map who were the first owners of the farms which 
they now occupy, and, if they are curious to follow up the clue thus furnished, 
they can, by consultation of the records, trace the succession of owners down 
to themselves. The various names of places then in vogue are also given. 
Some of these are still retained, while others have been long in disuse. 

The preparation of this map has involved a vast amount of labor. It is the 
result of investigations extending over a series of years, and to which the 
writer was led in connection with other historical studies. In its preparation 
the early deeds of the town of Norwich have been minutely explored, as well 
as a great number of private papers and deeds in the possession of different 
families. The series of papers on file in the State Library have also afforded 
valuable assistance. Not a little information has also been obtained from the 
examination of the ordinary records of the same date, which, in their records 
of votes respecting particular sections of the town, of allotments to different 
individuals, of the location of roads, of the running of district lines, &c., &c., 
have incidentally furnished decisive evidence. By the collation of these dif- 
ferent authorities facts have been elicited which could not have been obtained 
from any single source. No location has been given which is not sup- 
ported either by the direct evidence of the deeds or by strong collateral 
evidence. 

The map may claim, therefore, to present a truthful representation of the 
town during the first half century of its history, and the writer ventures to 
hope that this study of a former generation will afford to the present one a 
pleasure equal to that which it has given to himself. A. W. 






CONT E NTS. 



Preliminary Meetings, _____ ^ 

Opening Hymn, by Miss F. M. Caulkins, - - 7 

Address of Welcome, by Ashbel Woodward, M.D., - g 

Historical Address, by Ashbel Woodward, M.D., - 1 1 

Notes to Historical Address — 

Note A. — Indian Deed of Norwich, - - 45 

Note B. — Indian Names, - - - - 46 

Note C. — List of original Proprietors of Norwich, 48 
Note D. — Brief Notices of the principal original 

Settlers of West Farms, now Franklin, 49 

Note E. — College Graduates, _ _ _ 64 
Note F. — List of Clergymen raised up in Franklin, 

with brief sketches of some that have 

deceased, - . - - 65 

Note G. — Physicians of West Farms, now Franklin, 77 
Note H. — Sketches of individuals not included in 

clerical and medical professions, - - 83 

Note I. — List of Missionaries, - - - 88 

Note J. — Portipaug Society, - - - 89 

Historical Sermon, by Rev. Franklin C. Jones, - - 93 

Notes to Historical Sermon — 

First Creed of the Church, - - - 108 

Deacons of the Church, - - - - 112 

Intermission and Collation, - - - - 113 

Letter from Hon. L. F. S. Foster, - - - - 1 1 5 

Letter from Bela Edgerton, - - - - 115 

Letter from Rev. C. H. Chester, - - - - 116 

Poem, by Anson G. Chester, - - - - 119 

Speech, by Rev. Thomas L. Shipman, - - - 129 

Speech, by Rev. Hiram P. Arms, D.D., - - 130 



Speech, by Rev. Anson Gleason, - - - 130 

Speech, by Rev. David Metcalf, - - 130 

Speech, by Rev. W. H. Moore, - - 130 

Speech, by Rev. Jared R. Avery, - - 130 

Speech, by Rev. Joseph W. Backus, - - - 131 

Speech, by Rev. George J. Harrison, - - 131 

Speech, by Mr. Thomas D. Stetson, - - 132 

Speech, by Rev. Jesse Fillmore, - - - - 132 

Appendix — 

Letter from Miss F. M. Caulkins, - - - 135 

Letter from Anson G. Chester, - - 135 

Letter from Hon. Asahel Huntington, 136 

Letter from Hon. Wm. A. Buckingham, - 137 

Letter from Rev. A. T. Chester, D.D., - "137 

Letter from Rev. Isaac Clark, - - 138 

Poem from Miss Hyde, _ - , ^ 140 

Index of Names, - - -141 



ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 

On page 23, the 16th line from the top, for 1610 read 1710. 

On page 37, the 5th line from the top, for 1608 read 1708. 

On page 43, the 7th line from the top, for Edward read Ezra. 

On page 51, the 16th line from the top, for Get-once read Yet-once. 

On page 56, the 19th line from the top, for she read he. 

On page 78, the last line, add the character £ so as to read £3. 



Preliminary Meetings. 



At a meeting of the Congregational church of Franklin, 
Conn., August 30th, 1867, it was voted to celebrate the 
approaching one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its 
organization with appropriate exercises, and the follow- 
ing committee were appointed to make the necessary 
arrangements: — Ashbel Woodward, M. D., Chairman; 
Joseph I. Hyde, Clerk; P. (). Smith, H. W. Kingsley and 
Dan Hastings. The Ecclesiastical Society voted unani- 
mously, September 30th, 1867, to commemorate its own 
organization in conjunction with the celebration oi the 
one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the church. 

At a subsequent meeting of the committee of arrange- 
ments. Rev. Franklin C. Jones was invited to deliver the 
Historical Sermon, and Ashbel Woodward, M. D., the His- 
torical Address. It was also voted to hold the anniversary 
celebration on Wednesday, October 7th, 1868.* 

September 13th, 1868, the committee of arrangements 
appointed the following special committees : 

0)1 Collation. — Herman H. Willes, Amos F. Royce, 
Wm. M. Converse, Charles A. Kingsley, James C. Wood- 
ward, Ezra L. Smith and E. Eugene Ayer. 



* It subsequent!)- became known that the American Board of Commis- 
sioners for Foreign Missions were to hold their annual meeting at Norwich 
city during the first week of October, 1868, and it was, therefore, deemed 
advisable to defer the anniversary exercises till the second Wednesday of 
October. Fortunately the organization of the church took place on the second 
Wednesday of October, 1718, and we were thereby enabled in a certain sense 
to celebrate upon the anniversary of the date of its organization, although 
there was an actual discrepancy of one week ; the celebration occurring 
October 14, while the organization took place October 8th. 



On Finance. — William B. Hyde, John O. Smith, Bela 
T. Hastings, Amos F. Royce and Lavius A. Robinson. 

On Reception. — Henry W. Kingsley, Oliver L. Johnson, 
Lovell K. Smith, Samuel G. Hartshorn, Owen S. Smith, 
Ezra L. Smith, Dan Hastings and Charles A. Kingsley. 

On Music. — Hezekiah Huntington, Prentice O. Smith 
and Rev. F. C. Jones. 



Anniversary Exercises. 



The morning of October 14th, 1868, opened with threat- 
ening clouds and damp, cutting winds. But, notwithstand- 
ing the inauspicious weather, the church was crowded at 
an early hour with the returning sons and daughters of 
Franklin, some of whom had journeyed from beyond the 
Mississippi to join in the festivities of the day, while others 
had come back gray-haired men to once more grasp hands 
with the playmates with whom they had parted half a 
century before. 

At half-past ten o'clock, the Hon. Ephraim H. Hyde, 
of Stafford, Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, was 
introduced as president of the day, b}- the pastor, and the 
exercises of the occasion were opened with an invocation 
by Rev. E. W. Gilman. 

The following hymn, written by Miss F. M. Caulkins, 
of New London, was then sung by the Choir. 

OPENING HYMN 

For the Celebration of the 1 5c/// Anniversary of the first Organization 
of Religious Worship in Franklin, Conn. 

BY MISS F, M. CAULKINS, 

Church of our fathers, hail ! 

Long on this sacred height. 
Thy shining courts o'er hill and dale 

Have shed celestial light, 

A fewworn pilgrims here 

Their altar reared to God : 
Here first the Burning-bush they saw. 

Here bloomed the Almond rod. 



The watchmen of the land. 

Like stars before us rise : — 
For seventy years one faithful hand 

Was pointed to the skies. 

And still thy garments shine. 

With plenteous grace bedewed : 
Rich are the clusters of thy vine. 

Thy sons a multitude. 

For blessings so supreme. 

Our grateful songs we raise ; 
Lift high, sound deep the joyful theme. 

Awake, O voice of Praise ! 

Now, Lord, in triumph come ! 

Here shed thy spirit free. 
That each may bear a blessing home 

From this, our jubilee. 

After the singing of the opening hymn, the chairman 
of the committee of arrangements, Ashbel Woodward, 
M. D., delivered the following 



Address of Welcome. 



Sons and Daughters of Franklin : — 

In behalf of the committee of arrangements for cele- 
brating this anniversary occasion, I greet you with a 
cordial welcome. It affords me no ordinary gratification 
to welcome 3-011 to a full participation in all the pleasant 
memories and amenities which this hallowed re-union is 
suited to call forth. I welcome you to the hospitalities 
of our homes, which were once the homes of your fathers 
and your fathers' fathers. And to all who have upon this 
auspicious morning favored us by your presence, I would 
extend the warmest welcome of our hearts. 

It is profitable to turn aside occasionally from the stir- 
ring scenes of the hour to contemplate the virtues of those 
who have lived before us. No people can become per- 
manently great and prosperous unless they revere the 
memory of a virtuous ancestry. This feeling underlies 
the sentiment of patriotism and inspires the self-devotion 
of the hero. If the Roman of the empire was not ashamed 
to acknowledge his descent from the robber band who 
founded the eternal city ; if the Briton proudly traces his 
lineage to the Danish and Saxon pirates of the mediaeval 
period, surely we may well rejoice that our blood is de- 
rived from a religious, heroic. God-fearing ancestry. 
Amid perils and privations they sowed the precious seed, 
upborne by a lofty faith even in the darkest hours of trial 
and adversity. Reflecting upon the piety, and courage, 



lO 

and resolution of our fathers who laid the foundations 
here, we shall not only appreciate more fully the greatness 
of their work, but be the better fitted to carry it onward 
toward final fulfillment. 

Our town, secluded and sparsely settled by an agricul- 
tural people, has borne an unconspicuous part in history. 
Yet she has given to the country not a few who have 
risen to high positions of honor and usefulness. Trained 
in the virtues of the puritans, her sons and their descend- 
ants have ennobled this, their birth-place. 

But not to detain you with further words, allow me to 
extend to you, one and all, the earnest and sincere wel- 
come of our hearts. 

The address of welcome was succeeded by reading of 
the scriptures, Isaiah xxxv, and prayer by Rev. H. P. 
Arms, D. D. 

After further singing by the choir, came the Historical 
Address. 



Historical Address, 



BY 



AsHBEL Woodward, M. D. 



Introductory Note. 



The author of the following address is unwilling to permit this 
memorial* volume to go to press without acknowledging that its tardy 
appearance is due almost entirely to himself Actively devoted to a 
profession which precludes all system in the improvement of moments 
devoted to non-professional research, he has only been enabled to seize 
upon detached fragments of time to accomplish the little that was originally 
contemplated. 

In preparing the accompanying notes, almost constant recourse has 
been had to the local records, which fortunately are full and in a good 
state of preservation. All the early papers now on file in the public 
offices at the State Capitol, relating to our history in colonial times, have 
been examined and much valuable information has been obtained there- 
from. 

The late Miss F. M. Caulkins, in collecting materials for her invalu- 
able History of Norwich, availed herself of all known sources of infor- 
mation, and left comparatively little for other gleaners. Frequent refer- 
ence has been had to her writings, which have afforded very valuable 
aid in the preparation of these sketches. 

The writer also feels greatly indebted to the late chancellor Wal- 
worth, not only for information which he kindly furnished as a corres- 
pondent, but for many important statistical facts embodied in his 
Genealogy of the Hyde Family, a work involving vast labor, and 
including in its scope many of the families resident in this place. 

He also feels under great obligations to Rev. Dr. Sprague, of Albany, 
for information communicated by letter, and for the aid afforded by his 
printed volumes. 

He would also acknowledge information furnished by Rev. Jesse 
Fillmore, of Providence, Rev. E. B. Huntington, of Stamford, Prof. 
Oilman and F. B. Dexter, of Yale College, and others. 

He would also add that he feels under great obligations to Hon. J. 
H, Trumbull, President of the Conn. Historical Society, for assistance 
upon the obscure subject of Indian names. 

The mechanical execution of the accompanying map was entrusted to 
Mr. Andrew B. Smith, Post Master at Franklin. 

Franklin, April 14th, 1869. 



Historical Address. 



The Society whose anniversary we celebrate to-day, 
embraces territory purchased of the Indians in the month 
of June, 1659. Originally this region lay within the 
domain of the Narragansett, but he, at some unknown 
period, was driven back b}' the irruption of a fierce tribe 
from the north, who swept down with an impetuosity 
which even his might could not withstand. These new 
comers, settling upon the banks of the stream afterwards 
called by their name, the Pequot or Thames, issued forth 
from thence conquering and to conquer, a living terror 
far and near, until overwhelmed in the memorable de 
struction of 1637. The Mohegans, an uneasy clan of the 
Pequots and a traitorous aid in their overthrow, rose 
Phoenix-like from the ruins of their race, and had become 
in 1659 a powerful tribe dwelling about the headwaters 
of the Thames and extending thence into the interior. 
Their territory was the fairest in New England. Nature 
here lavished in stream and vale the means of easy sub- 
sistence, while in scenes of rugged grandeur ceaselessly 
blending with others of quiet repose, she spoke in such 
tones of captivating eloquence to her first children as she 
does to-day to those who have ears to listen. But nowhere 
in this broad domain was her hand more generous or her 
smile more winsome than over the region which greets the 
eye from the spot whereon we stand. Here pure streams, 
flowinof with increased volume beneath the shade of the 



primeval forest, sparkled through valleys from whose 
genial soil the three sister spirits, guardians of the red 
man's board, the spirit of Corn, of the Bean and of the 
Vine, drew the kindliest support. Over the hills above, 
ranged the deer, bear, wolf and fox, while the encircling 
streams furnished still choicer food in their abundant 
supplies of salmon, shad and trout. Here, then, was joy 
to the full for the red man, and the abundant remains of 
his art join with tradition in pronouncing this his favorite 
abode. In these valleys, long before they felt the white 
man's tread, the summer wind rustled through the com- 
plaining corn, the woods re-echoed to the huntsman's 
joyous shout, or anon the war-whoop rung out from hill 
to hill, and the streams ran red with blood. Again, where, 
perhaps, this very church rears heavenward its spire, 
weird companies have circled round the council fire in 
celebration of their mystic rites, or in the golden harvest 
time, led by the gratitude which yearly draws us hither, 
have gathered from far and near to return thanks to the 
Great Spirit for bounteous seasons, and to bespeak his 
continued kindness. But this aboriginal form of society, 
with its bright alike with its dark side, be it spoken, van- 
ished so quickly away that only the faintest glimpses of it 
are preserved for us, and we hasten on into more certain 
periods. 

Doubtless the people of Saybrook wei^e familiar with 
the charms and advantages of this region long before a 
colony was actually led hithei. Major John Mason, the 
leading spirit in that settlement, had had abundant oppor- 
tunity in his frequent expeditions through the wilderness 
and his long intimacy with Uncas, to learn the nature of 
the sachem's possessions ; and it was doubtless the enthu- 
siastic admiration of this tireless man that prevailed upon 
his fellow colonists to abandon their homes, just beginning 



15 

to requite the toil of years, and plunge again into the 
heart of the wilderness. 

In May, 1659, the General Assembly authorized the 
planting of a colony in the Mohegan country ; and the 
following month Uncas and his brother Wawequa, for the 
consideration of seventy pounds, ceded a portion of their 
domain nine miles square, and including within its limits 
the present towns of Norwich, Franklin, Bozrah, Lisbon 
and Sprague, with small portions of adjoining towns. 

Preliminary arrangements are at once effected, and the 
next spring the thirty-five proprietors, under the guidance 
of Major Mason and Rev. James Fitch, remove from 
Say brook hither, and establish themselves at what is now 
known as Norwich Town. The first year or two are 
busily employed in erecting dwellings and subduing the 
wilderness about them. These done, other matters press 
upon the attention. Young men are growing up in their 
midst, full of the energy begotten by struggles with 
nature in a new land, who will quickly be ready to plunge 
still deeper into the shades of the forest, there to hew out 
their own fortunes. New comers, also, from abroad 
must soon be crowded onward beyond the existing 
bounds, while the needs of the present population suggest 
the clearing up of outlying lands for pasturage and culti- 
vation. The meadows and uplands of West Farms, as 
this portion of Norwich was long known, are most 
accessible and inviting. Accordingly, in Sixteen Hundred 
and Sixty-Three, the desirable portions are parcelled out 
among the occupants of the Town Plot, to be improved 
by them, or, if they see fit, passed over into other hands. 
Nor is it long before the smoke curls up here and there 
from the center of a little clearing, in indication of actual 
occupation. Soon John Ayer, the famous hunter, Indian 
fighter and guide, pushes up the Beaver brook and pitches 



i6 

his tent in the gap of the hills, a wild and solitary place 
exactly to his taste and perpetuating by its name the 
memory of his many daring exploits in its vicinity. Job 
Hunnewell, William Moore and others, follow in his 
footsteps, and settle up and down the different streams. 
These first comers, unused to the restraints of civilization, 
when, in a few years, neighbors begin to crowd upon them, 
sigh again for the freedom of the forest, and most of them 
pass on into the unbroken wilderness. Yet these same 
men were the actual pioneers in the settlement of West 
Farms, and carry back the history of this portion of the 
nine miles square almost to the days of the original settle- 
ment at the Town Plot. Nearly coeval with the arrival 
of these men here, Samuel Hyde, John Birchard, 
John Johnson and John Tracy move out from the 
Town Plot and settle upon the lands that fell to them in 
the division of 1663. 

Two hundred years ago ! Who of us can realize the 
change, or depict the life of those adventurous men, here 
in the ver}^ heart of the wilderness, shut in on every side 
by the gloom of the primeval forest, and environed by 
countless perils? From the surrounding shades savage 
beasts are ready to pounce upon their herds and 
trample down their crops, or, at some unguarded moment, 
the war-whoop may ring out the death knell of unpro- 
tected wives and children. Life is a constant struggle 
with hardship and danger. Scarcely are the toilsome 
beginnings over and a slight degree of comfort attained, 
when King Phillip's war bursts forth, to rage with unin- 
terrupted fury for many months. The compacted settle- 
ments are stricken with deadly fear. Young and old rush 
to arms. Heavy guards are maintained night and day. 
Yet with the utmost vigilance a forlorn dread settles upon 
every heart ; dread lest their stoutest defences av^ail not 



17 

against the wiles of the Narragansett chief. What, then, 
must be the feelings, the sickening despair of the lonely 
family upon the frontier, cut off from the assistance of 
neighbors and friends, and to whom the appearance of the 
foe is the precursor of inevitable death ; death, too, under 
all the tortures that devilish cunning can devise ? We, 
whose fortunes have fallen upon peaceful times, but faintly 
realize the horrors of those early days. No woman in 
the absence of her husband at his daily toil, could feel 
sure that in his stead a mangled corpse would not come 
back to her at night. No father in parting from his wife 
and children could shake off the dread that his returning 
footsteps might bring him to smouldering ruins and the 
charred remains of dear ones. Life was a burthen, to be 
flung off with joy but for the interests of others bound up 
in it. Amid such scenes did the fathers lay the founda- 
tions of our goodly town, and many of our richest bless- 
ings are due to the heroic spirit that could endure and 
grow strong by battling with adversity. 

With the downfall of King Phillip, in 1676, sank the 
last great Indian power in New England. Peace is now 
assured, and under her fostering influences the West 
Farms receive fresh life. The next year Joshua Abel 
removes from Dedham hither, and establishes himself at 
the foot of the hill, directly below our present church. 
Benjamin and John Armstrong, Nathaniel Rudd and 
others follow rapidly, and the place soon begins to wear 
the air of civilization. Before 1690, crops of grain wave 
over many a field but lately torn from the embrace of the 
forest, wood-paths have expanded into highways — one 
leading to Portipaug, one up the central valley ahd over 
Middle hill, and another along the long and elevated crest, 
then known as Little Lebanon — and the victories of civili- 
zation over barbarism appear on every hand. A glance at 



i8 

the surrounding country will, perhaps, place the antiquity 
of the West Farms in clearer light. While they already 
boast a thriving and populous community, rapidly extend- 
ing their conquests over nature, other ancient towns that 
hold early and honorable place in the annals of the State, 
have not yet come into existence. Windham is still Nau- 
besetuck, or, at most, contains but a single log cabin, and 
Lebanon is an unbroken wilderness. Even over the nine 
miles square, save about the Town Plot, there are else- 
where only a few straggling settlers. In this vicinity 
Franklin claims an actual history, antedated only by the 
settlement at the Town Plot. 

Each returning year brings its additions to the popula- 
tion. Among others, one after another, the names of 
Hyde, Birchard, Edgerton, Smith, Waterman, Hunt- 
ington, Tracy, Royce, Gager and Mason are added 
to the list, all sons or connected with the first pro- 
prietors, and so many links to bind more closely together 
the communities of the Town Plot and the West Farms, 
though, in fact, they are already as one people, gathering 
in the same church, forming a single civil body, and 
marching forth shoulder to shoulder wherever the duties 
of those warlike days might call. Indeed, until the final 
separation in 1786, though to a less degree after the for- 
mation of this Society, the history of Franklin is to be 
found in the history of Norwich. Her inhabitants consti- 
tute no small portion of the body politic, have a voice in 
all civil matters, bear off their portion of the offices and 
their full share of the heavy burthens consequent upon 
early citizenship. If their history be merged in the his- 
tory of the older and larger town, we must not forget 
that they have a history, nay, occupy an important place 
in the annals of the period. 

Yet, in face of these blending influences, it will not 



^9 

seem strange that the people of the West Farms should 
soon tire of a straggling- existence upon the outskirts of a 
distant society, and long for greater independence. After 
several years of fruitless effort, their wishes are at length 
gratified by permission, in 1716, to organize a separate 
Ecclesiastical Society. But, before passing to the new 
organization, shall we hastily glance at this locality a cen- 
tury and a half ago? It is jocularly called the " Place of 
the Seven Hills," and though most of their different names 
have long been in disuse, the hills still tower up in silent 
witness of the peculiar fitness of the term. On the east 
stands Portipaug hill, flanked on one side by Pleasure hill 
and on the other by Hearthstone hill, so called from its 
excellent hearthstones ; from the center rises Center or 
Middle (now Great) hill, noted for its Dragon's Hole* 
and the picturesqueness of the surrounding scenery ; west 



* We subjoin the following description of this natural curiosity from a manu- 
script account by Rev. Dr. Nott. "August 5, 1800, I went, in company with 
Rev. John Ellis and four students, to view the Dragon's Hole. The ascent of 
the mountain from the east is laborious for about a quarter of a mile. The mouth 
of the cavern is between two ledges of rocks, that on the right being about 
35 feet in height and the left one about 20. The space between them is about 
30 feet, and covered with rocks of various shapes and sizes thrown together 
in such a manner as to bring to mind those lines more celebrated for wit than 
piety — 

'Nature, having spent all her store, 

' Heaped up rocks — she could do no more.' 

The descent from the general surface of those promiscuous rocks to the mouth 
of the cavern is about 10 feet. The first room, which is something in the form 
of a parallelogram, is 12 feet in length, 9 in breadth, and 6 in height. The 
passage from the first to the second room is 9 feet long, 3 1-2 high, and 2 wide. 
The second room is not so large. Its length is 9 1-2 feet, width 4, and height 
6 feet. From the second room there is an opening to two others, one on the 
right, the other on the left. The one on the right is 5 feet high, 7 1-2 long, 
and 3 1-2 wide. The room on the left is 5 feet high, 9 long, and 4 wide. 
From this there is a narrow passage on the left into which my son entered, 
12 feet in length and 2 in width. From one extremity of the cavern to the 
other is about 40 feet." 



20 

of Middle is what is now known as Meeting House hill, 
looming up above its neighbors, in seeming forgetfulness 
of the doubtful honor of the sobriquet of Misery hill, 
sometimes applied to its southern terminus ; be3'ond this 
lies Little Lebanon, and still farther west. Blue hill com- 
pletes the mystic seven. 

To one gazing off from this Meeting House hill, or 
journeying hence in different directions, the prospect is 
essentially that which greets the eye to-day. True, the 
roads are not so easy, or the lands so smooth, or the 
dwellings so comfortable and commodious as now. 
Blackened stumps still protrude from many a clearing. 
The log cabin has not yet begun its westward march, and 
occasionally a wigwam peeps out from some sunny nook, 
or Ashbow and his clan are seen pursuing their game 
across the fields. No church spire bids the dwellers in 
these valleys lift their thoughts toward heaven. No 
grave-yard whitens yonder plain. Nor are there school 
houses yet at every turn. New England's mighty enginery, 
destined in the course of time to revolutionize the world. 
Perhaps one of us transported back to this early day 
would be struck most by the Great Pine Swamp, an 
immense extent of pines skirting the eastern base of 
Meeting House hill, and spreading out through the whole 
length and breadth of the valley. Yet, after all, the 
changes which these hundred and fifty years have wrought, 
are not so great that we should fail to recognize our 
honored town or cease to feel at home within her borders. 
The cultivated lands are, mainly, the same as now ; the 
farm houses occupy the same positions ; nay, if we knock 
for entrance, a cordial welcome awaits us from the grand- 
fathers and great-grandfatfiers of those who preside over 
the self same hearths to-day. Starting near the Society 
line and going north, the traveler first passes the residence 




'^Qg ^J G-ilFeriae 




BAIvfLlF.I, NOTT ,]J. 1 



21 

of Capt. Joseph Tracy, a grandson of Lieut. Thomas 
Tracy, and ancestor of the late Dr. Philemon Tracy. 
If he chances to take the Portipaiig road he will soon 
pass the residence of Serj. Nathaniel Rudd ; then that of 
Samuel Hartshorne, situated upon the spot occupied 
by successive generations of the family to the present 
day ; next that of Lieut. Thomas Hazen, under the 
family name till recently ; and at the head of the lane, 
upon the right, the homestead of Dr. David Hartshorne, 
father of Samuel Hartshorne below, the first physician 
of the society, and a most exemplary man ; he then passes 
successively, the houses of Benjamin and John Arm- 
strong ; and if he still keeps to the right he will pass the 
place of Capt. John Fillmore, ancestor of President 
Fillmore, and noted for his encounter with the pirates ; 
and, near by, the residence of Samuel Griswold ; and 
finally cross the Shetucket at Elderkin's (now Lord's) 
bridge, near which lives John Elderkin, and are located 
the saw and gristmill for that section ; or, taking the left 
hand road, winding around through Portipaug, he passes, 
among others, the places of Increase Mosely, Doctor 
John Sabin, and Joseph Ayer and his son Joseph ; and 
climbing upon Pleasure hill, finds there the farms of 
Jacob Hyde and David Ladd. Returning to the start- 
ing point and following the Windham road, our traveler 
passes at Rudd hill what soon became the residence of 
Nathaniel Rudd, Jr. ; soon observes at a short distance 
upon the right, that of the ist Thomas Hyde, and a little 
farther off that of John Pember, afterwards society 
sexton, as were his son and grandson after him ; and still 
farther on in that direction, upon Birchard's plain, the 
residence of James Birchard ; reaches at the foot of 
Middle hill the house of Joshua Abell, and, climbing 
the hill by the old and tortuous way, the more direct 



22 

route being- yet unopened, passes on the ascent John 
Badger, at the top, the Kingsbury Mansion, and so 
successively, Serj. Winslow Tracy, William Hogskin, 
John Gager, Jonathan Hartshorne, a brother of David, 
Joseph Downer and Joseph Reynolds. Returning south- 
ward and journeying up Lebanon road, our traveler 
first passes the home of Serj. Obadiah Smith, and still 
farther along, at the foot of Little Lebanon hill, that 
of Jabez Hyde, first clerk of the society ; ascending 
the hill, that of Samuel Crocker, from whom that portion 
of the hill now takes its name ; at the top of the hill, the 
Huntington mansion, then occupied by Christopher 
Huntington ; farther on, John Tracy ; next, Joseph 
Edgerton ; and farther on, at the other end of the hill, 
the first Jeremiah Mason. Returning into West Farms 
by the Blue hill road, he passes on Blue hill the farms of 
Samuel Pettis, Serj. Israel Lathrop and Ebeneezer 
Johnson ; then, descending through the Hollow, and 
passing the mill of Thomas Sluman, and on the ascent, 
the farm of the mysterious Micah Rood, he finds on the 
brow of Meeting House hill, the Capt. John Lothrup 
place, and still farther on, in front of our present parson- 
age, the then Arnold place, afterwards occupied by Rev. 
Henry Willes, and upon the opposite corner, the dwell- 
ing of Benjamin Peck. Nor are these all. During his 
tour the dwellings of many others have caught his eye, 
some of them not unknown to us, though of less interest 
to the present generation, the rest long since forgotten. 
More than once, perhaps, in his walk, he has been startled 
by the warning of the rattlesnake ; or, if his visit fall in 
springtime, urged to join in the annual expeditions against 
these terrible pests of the settlement.* Lingering awhile, 

* Rattlesnakes were for many years the pest of the settlement. It is said 
that they nearly frightened away the first settler at Portipaugby their frequent 



he will find ample chance for nobler sport in the frequent 
forays against the bears and wolves, still numerous enough 
to endanger the safety of the herds. Would that in his 
stead we might tarry for a time, and, gathering round 
some cheerful hearth, observe the homely, though genial 
customs of the day, learn of the topics that interest our 
sturdy sires, and be quickened in fidelity to conviction, 
by the story of their own and their fathers' heroic 
struggles to maintain the truth. 

It will be seen from this survey, that the West Farms 
are at length fully prepared for a more independent exis- 
tence. They now number nearly fifty families,* and the 
burthens of connection with a society whose center is so 
distant are far greater than would be those of maintaining 
a separate organization, while the benefits are correspond- 
ingly less. As early as 1610 the discontent with the 
existing arrangement creates a strong desire for a new 
township, and finds actual expression in a petition to the 
town for leave to organize a separate society. For some 
reason no definite action is taken upon this petition. 
But six years later the project is crowned with success. 

On the nineteenth of September, 17 16, the inhabitants 
of the town of Norwich agree in general town meeting, 
" that the West Farmers be allowed to be a society by 
themselves."t The next step is to secure incorporation 
by the General Assembly, and to this end the following 
petition is preferred to that body : — 



visits to his cabin. For a long time a large bounty was offered for their 
destruction, and several of the early days of May were annually devoted to 
hunting them. 

* Several families are known to have been here at this time who are unrep- 
resented on the petition to the General Assembly. 

f Upon ye petition of ye West Farmers in Nowich, pleading to be a society 
by themselves, the inhabitants now met in general Town meeting, September 
19th, 1716. And having considered sd Petition, do agree yt ye sd West 



24 

To the Honour^^'' the Govern'", Council & Representatives 
in General Court, assembled at New Haven, Octo- 
ber I ith, 1716. 
May it please y"" Hon'■^ 

We, the inhabitants of the town of Norwich, comonly 
called the West Farmers of Norwich, Having obtained the 
consent of sd town, to be a distinct society, after having 
the allowance of this Hon''*'' Court ; as appears by their 
vote dated Septemb'" 19th, 1716, Do now pray y"" Hon" to 
grant and constitute us a distinct society, according to the 
line agreed upon in the above referred to vote, with those 
privileges and imunities, which to y' wisdom shall seem 
needful to the promoting the end of our being a separate 
society. And herein we have great hopes of the favor of 
this Hon''^® Assembly, forasmuch as the flourishing of re- 
ligion is our only motive, upon the publick institutions 
of which it is scarce possible for us to attend in Norwich, 
being several of us seven or eight & but two or three 
within four miles of the place of publick worship. 

And to this application to y"" Hon'* we are also encour- 
aged by the smiles of Providence in increasing our inhab- 
itants to the number of above forty families & trust that 
by the continuance of the same divine favour we shall 
increase yet much more, & especially, if we have the 
smiles of heaven to incline y"" Hon'"® to grant this, our hum- 
ble request, which will remove the great discouragement 
to sober inhabitants settling among us. 

Y'" Petitioners shall ever Pray, &c. 



Farmers be allowed to be a society by themselves, destinct from ye Town 
Plot. [The bounds of sd society ; to begin at the mouth of Beaver brook, 
then by a line to Doct. Hartshorne's house, thence to Scotch Cap gate, then 
to ye river, then by ye river to Lebanon line and by Lebanon to Shoatuck 
(Shetucket) river, by ye river to ye first station.] 
A True Coppy of Record, 

Test: R. BUSHNELL, Clerk. 



25 



Daniel Wicom, 
John Elderkin, Jun"", 
Incres Mosely, 
Thomas Wood, 
^John Waterman, 
Thomas Hazzen, 
Obadiah Smith, 
Israll Lothrup, 
Joseph Kingsbery, Jun'' 
Ebeneezer Johnson, 
Joseph Baker, 
Joseph Downer, Jr., 
Joseph Downer, 



Jacob Hazzen, 
Joseph Edgerton, 
Christopher Huntington, 
Daniel Rockwell, 
John Hazen, 
Tho : Stoder, 
Samuel Edgerton, 
Joseph Kingsbery, 
Winslow Tracy, 
Nathaniel Badger, 
John Badger, 
Joseph Renalls, Jun"", 
Samuel Lad, 



Johnathan Hartshorne, Nathaniel Lad, 



Johnathan Roice, 
Thomas Hide, 
Thomas Hazzen, 
Benjamin Armstrong, 
Samuel Raymond, 
John Armstrong, 
John Johnson, 



david Lad, 
Thomas Sluman, 
Samuel Hide, Jur, 
Joseph Ayer, 
Joseph Ayer, Jr., 
Johnathan Lad, 
Sims Langly. 



This petition is readily sanctioned by the legislature, 
and our society therefore dates its existence from October, 
1 716, it being the second society organized in the old nine 
miles square, and so designated till the division of the 
town in 1786. At first its territorial limits were quite 
extensive. \\\ addition to most of the present town of 
Franklin, it also embraced the western half of the present 
town of Sprague, and the eastern part of New Concord, 
afterwards known as Bozrah, in all about three times its 
extent at the abolition of the territorial jurisdictions of 
ecclesiastical societies. 

Measures are at once taken to put the new society into 
active operation. The first meeting is held November 



26 

1st ; Serj. Nathaniel Rudd, Lieut. Thomas Hazen and Serj. 
Obadiah Smith, are chosen society committee, and Jabez 
Hide (by a remarkable coincidence direct ancestor of our 
present clerk) society clerk ; it is voted to proceed to the 
erection of a church edifice ; to call a minister, and, till 
the building is ready, to meet for divine worship at pri- 
vate dwellings. The services thus held alternate between 
the houses of James Birchard and Dr. David Hartshorne. 
Meanwhile, work upon the new edifice is pushed forward 
as rapidly as possible. The timber is felled upon the hill, 
and the frame set up near by, '' down att ye walnut bush 
where ye path comes up ye hill," and in the locality occu- 
pied by the two following churches. The land was the 
gift of Joshua Abel. But with the limited means at the 
command of the society, progress is necessarily slow, 
and it is not till the next summer that the building 
receives its outside covering and floors ; this done, the 
pulpit and seats of the old church at the Town Plot are pro- 
cured for temporary use, and the first services held within 
its walls. During the warm weather up to this time, the 
congregation had gathered in Benjamin Peck's barn. 
Hungering for the living truth, they stripped off the dry 
husks of form, having not )^et learned the faith which feeds 
upon external things alone. Two years after, the lower 
portion of the house is finished off, and in 1729 galleries 
are added, when the edifice, slowly erected out of scanty 
means by sacrifice and self-denial, can, at length, be pro- 
nounced complete. 

The early gatherings in private dwellings and the 
unfinished church, are under the exclusive control of the 
society. It is not till the second Wednesday of October, 
171 8, one Hundred and Fifty years ago to-day, on oc- 
casion of the ordination of Rev. Henry Willes, that a 
church is organized as co-ordinate with the society in the 



27 

management of religious affairs.* This society, therefore, 
is two years older than the church connected with it — - 
not an uncommon occurrence in the early history of our 
State. The society supplies the more material elements 
which come first in point of time. Being an incorporate 
body, it can purchase and hold property, and is especially 
designed to provide a place for public worship and to 
defray the cost of maintaining the gospel ordinances 
therein, matters which the church, a body unrecognized 
at law, cannot well arrange, though they are of the first 
importance. Naturally, then, the organization of a society 
is the first step, and frequently, in primitive days, 
the church was not gathered till long afterward ; the 
society maintained all the ordinances except the com- 
munion and baptism, for which the people had to resort 
to some neighboring church. Thus, for instance, in Lyme 
the society ranked some thirty years prior to the church. 
But other concerns besides the building of a meetingf 



* We subjoin the following petition extracted from the Archives of Con- 
necticut. 

To the Honb^s Gurdon Saltonstall, Govern'" in and over his MaJ^ colloney of 
Connecticut in New England. And .... The Honb'" the councill and the 
Representatives in General Court Assembled at Hartford this eighth of 
May, 171S. 

The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of that Part of Norwich which is 
called or ... . known bjr the name of West Farmers within the Colloney of 
Connecticut Aforesaid, Humbly Sheweth. 

That whereas this Hon^'^ Court at their Session at New Haven In ye month 
of October In ye year 1716, In answer to ye petition. To us sd Inhabitants 
Did Grant us Liberty to be a society by ourselves, which Petition or Liberty 
being granted, we have Invited The Rev"'l Mr. Henrj-Willes to preach 3'e gos- 
pel Amongst us ; who having been with us some time on probation — we have 
now mutually agreed with him In order to settlement Amongst us In the work 
of The Ministry. 

Signed ill yc behalf of yt 
Society, 

David Hartshorne, 
Thomas Sluman. 



Wherefore we, your most Humble Petitioners, 

crave and earnestly desire this Hon^le Court's Ap- 

^ probation And Consent to proceed to ordination, 

and an allowance to Imbody ourselves Into Church 

Estate. 



28 

house and engagement of a pastor demand immediate 
attention. In former days the interests of education were 
entrusted to the care of the different societies, and with 
the happiest results. The same conscientious fidelity to 
duty which impelled our fathers to maintain the ordinances 
of religion at any sacrifice, impelled them also to stud the 
land with school houses, that an intelligent faith might be 
within grasp of all, and that the state might be planted on 
the sure foundation of popular education. One of the 
first acts of the society relates to a society school. This 
school is located upon Meeting House hill and kept open 
six months of the year. A portion of the cost is defrayed 
by the state, but the society also contributes freely, voting 
annually to this object twenty-five or thirty pounds. Yet 
the best endeavors could provide the youth of that day 
with no royal road to learning. However able the in- 
structor, or diligent the scholar, the want of cheap and 
systematic text books was a formidable barrier to high 
attainment. Not infrequently the teacher owned the 
only arithmetic or grammar to be found in the school. 
In this society the distant scholars encountered the 
additional obstacle of a walk of three or four miles morn- 
ing and night. This inconvenience led, in 1727, to the 
division of the society into four school districts ; Porti- 
paug, Upper Windham road, Lower Windham road and 
Lebanon road. But the population was too scanty for the 
maintenance of separate schools, and the division re- 
mained inoperative till, in 1729, this difficulty was curiously 
obviated by a school which traveled from district to dis- 
trict, keeping six weeks in each. This migratory school 
proved a complete success. All were delighted with it, 
and for many seasons the pedagogue continued his itin- 
erant sway. 

Still other matters press upon the attention from the 



29 

very outset, some of them trivial in themselves, though 
highl}' important as illustrations of the extensive functions 
of the early societies. Thus, our own society had dele- 
gated to it additional powers which resembled those 
of our present town government. While it could impose 
taxes upon the entire community and had control of 
schools, its records show that it also engaged in such civil 
affairs as the laying (^ut of highways, and even went so 
far as to build a public pound. Burjnng grounds were 
also under its charge, and the society early took care to 
provide a suitable cemeter}-. The spot selected was upon 
"the playne "* where Benjamin Peck had previously 
buried a daughter. This ground, twice afterward en- 
larged, is the one in use at the present day. For many 
years it was the only regular cemetery in the society, 
though a few graves were dug, at an early day, upon a 
sand}^ knoll jutting into the Great Pine Swamp, and now 
commonly called the Indian Burying Ground. 

All in all, for the first few years the young society 
flourished finely. The tide of prosperity, however, could 
not flow on forever, and in 1734 tbe current changes. 
That year the General Assembly permit the people of 
New Concord (the western part of the society) to procure 
preaching by themselves, and two years later incorporate 
them into a distinct society. Deprived thereby of a fifth 
of her territory, the parent society resists the movement 
vigorously, and, could she have foreseen the endless 
troubles destined to follow in its train, would, doubtless, 
have staked her all upon the issue ; for this secession 
proved the first cause of twenty years of the most turbu- 
lent commotion, and of a second more vital change. The 
society had, by this time, outgrown the first church, which 

* The Plain was tlien usually called " Birchard's Plain." 



30 

was probably a rude affair, and were nearly agreed upon 
the propriety of building a new one, when the Avithdrawal 
of New Concord gave an unexpected turn to the matter. 
Before her withdrawal the church had stood in the exact 
center of the society, but now it was thrown a mile to one 
side, and this trifling change proved sufficient to develop 
a bitter controversy as to the location of the new church, 
and to arouse an JEtUci of feeling which twenty years were 
powerless to assauge. About half of the society contend 
for the old location, while the other half strenuously main- 
tain that the new building ought to stand farther east, in 
the real center. It is voted to build upon the old spot, 
rescinded, voted again, and then, as a temporary com- 
promise, to repair and enlarge the present building ; but 
this proposition shares the fate of the rest, and at the end 
of several years of constant agitation, the society finds 
itself at a perfect standstill. Finally, as the only egress, 
a majority petition the General Assembly for a committee 
to come and settle the disputed point. The committee 
sent in response to this petition, visit West Farms in the 
fall of 1 741, spend two days in hearing the opposing 
parties, and report: " (i), That it is necessary that a new 
meeting house should be erected in said society ; (2), that 
it will best accommodate the greater part of the people 
there, and tend most to peace to have the same built on 
the hill where the old meeting house stands, and as follows, 
viz. : that the south-westerly corner be laid about twenty 
feet west of an old chestnut stub y t is about forty feet from 
the southwest corner of the old meeting house, and to extend 
toward ye old meeting house in ye length as far as may be 
convenient, and to the northward of sd stump in ye 
width." This report meets the approval of the legislature, 
and the society is directed to build upon the spot selected. 
Though the disputed points have now been authorita- 



31 

tivelj settled, the troubles are by no means at an end. 
Old jealousies and animosities still lurk behind, and render 
the erection of the new edifice as difficult as was the se- 
lection of the spot on which it should stand. The sound- 
ing board used to bear in bold, black figures, the date of 
1745, but the reports of the clerk to the General Assembly 
show that it was not completed till after 1747. 

Not a few of the audience will readily recall this second 
church, with its immense sounding board, the wonder of 
boyish days, its double row of high backed pews running 
around the sides, and enclosing in the center two tiers of 
slips, between which ran the broad main aisle, leading up 
to the Deacons' Seat, and the little antique pulpit, cush- 
ioned with gray and hung round with long, black tassels, 
that used to sway in the summer wind like a pall. In the 
center were seated the aged people, husbands and wives 
on opposite sides, while the younger families gathered in 
the surrounding pews, and the 3'oung unmarried people 
ranged themselves in pert, prim rows in either galler}^, 
the men on the right and the women on the left. Behind 
these were the wall pews of the galleries, so lofty that 
their chance occupants seemed, as it were, suspended in 
huge boxes from the ceiling. Conspicuous in front was 
the Deacons' Seat, and high above it the pulpit, from 
which for many years successive pastors had proclaimed 
the word of life. All was plain, simple, and tinged, per- 
haps, with a sombre air. The church was plain, the 
people were plain, and the message ot the preacher tell with 
a plain earnestness that went direct to every heart. Alto- 
gether, it was a fair type of the puritan congregation as it 
had earlier existed over all New England, and yet a con- 
gregation how worthy of imitation in their devout 
attention, and their religious zeal, that worked like leaven 
through the entire community, bringing rzYTj man, woman 



32 

and child unto the house of God, and fairly realizing the 
words of ancient writ, "y^//the people praised the Lord." 
But hark, the roll of a drum announces the approaching 
hour of worship, and along the converging roads the 
people may be seen climbing to the sanctuary. From 
the South, the Hydes, Hartshornes, Rudds and Rogerses; 
from the East, the Barkers, Fillmores, Ayreses, Ladds, 
Elderkins, Birchards, Armstrongs and Pembers ; from the 
North, the Kingsburys, Edgertons, Badgers, Downers, 
Gagers, Barstows and Tracys ; from the West, the Hunt- 
ingtons, Johnsons, Slumans, Roods, Lathrops, Crockers, 
Pettises, Tracys and Masons are drawing near. The men 
on horseback with their wives behind them, the children 
and poorer people on foot, slowly and thoughtfully are 
wending their way to the house of God. As they 
approach, glance at them. The men are arrayed in pow- 
dered wigs, ruffled shirts, elaborately embroidered waist- 
coats with white lappels, knee breeches, silk stockings 
and silver buckled shoes. Their wives, with hair piled 
up " in curls on curls before and mounted to a formidable 
tower" appear entirely in garments of domestic fabrica- 
tion, cut in a manner betokening an eye in their wearers 
for the prevailing fashion, which certainly will compare 
favorably in capriciousness with post-colonial days. En- 
tering, in either corner is posted a tything man, with long 
slender rod in hand, to preserve order, while the deacons 
are already standing in their conspicuous pew. But see, 
the drum has ceased its roll, and the pastor approaches 
across the green, and with slow and measured step enters 
the church. Instantly all noise is hushed, the deacons 
quietly and reverently take their seats, the tything men 
lay aside their rods, and the congregation Avaits in order 
for the opening of the service. Rev. Mr. Willes calls out 
the number of a H3aTin and reads : — 



" Hierusalem, my happy home ! 
When shall I come to thee ! 
When shall my sorrowes have an end, 
Thy joyes when shall I see ? " 

Immediately Deacon Kingsbury, (as books were not 
abundant at that day), "deacons off" the line, Artemus 
Downer, the schoolmaster, strikes up some favorite tune, 
and the entire congregation, young and old, perhaps with 
not the best of harmony, but yet with earnest tones, 
respond — 

" Hierusalem, my happy home ! 
When shall I come to thee ! " 

The hymn concluded, the people rise and stand during 
the prayer that follows. This finished, they resume their 
seats, the pastor sets up his hour glass, announces his 
text, and reads on from a cramped and dingy manuscript 
till the sands are run, to the great edification of his hearers, 
who listen with unabstracted gaze, save when the tything 
man, Judah Smith, comes up the aisle to reprove Talatha 
Morgan for " laughing and playing."* A short prayer 



* To Eben'" Hartshorne, of Norwich, in New London County, one of his 
Majesty's Justices of the peace for sd count}', comes Judah Smith of sd 
Norwich, one of the Tything men chosen b}' ye sd Town of Norwich for ye 
west Society in said Norwich, and Informs and upon oath presents that 
Talatha Morgan of sd Norwich, single woman. Did on ye 24th day of Feb- 
ruary last, it being ye Sabbath or Lord's day, prophane sd Lord's day in j'e 
meeting house in ye west society in ye time of ye forenoon service on sd da\' by 
her Rude and Indecent Behaviour in Laughing and playing in ye time of sd 
service, which Doings of ye sd Talatha is against ye peace of our Sovereign 
Lord, the King, his Crown and Dignity, and contrary to the Statute in such 
case made and provided. Dated at Norwich, ye 19th Day of April, A. D. 
1747, and in ye 20th year of his Majesty's Reign. 

Take for evidences, Judah Smith, Tything Man, Cibel Waterman ye wife of 
Eben"" Waterman, Jun"" , and Judah Smith. Both of sd Norwich. 

1747, April 28, the above named Talatha Morgan appeared personally and 
pleaded guilty to ye above presentment, and sentenced to pay a fine £0, 3, o, 
and £0, I, o, cost for her above transgression, by me ye above named Justice. 
which fine and cost is paid. 



34 

follows the sermon, ending in the benediction, the closing 
word of which has barely fallen from the pastor's lips, 
when, from his corner, the tything man cries in sharp, 
quick tones, " James Elderkin and Betty Waterman intend 
marriage ;" and so the congregation break up, and wend 
their way homeward, to meditate upon the lessons of the 
sermon, though some, perhaps, to wonder why and when 
Miss Betty Waterman is to become Mrs. James Elderkin. 

And here we will linger a moment over a custom long 
since abandoned ; the custom of seating the church. In 
early times, the expenses of the society were met by a 
direct tax, instead of a levy on the pews and slips, and 
these were consequently free. But to preserve the gravity 
and decorum of the assembly, to secure the nearer and 
conspicuous seats for aged listeners, and to prevent assur- 
ance from pushing aside honest worth, a committee was 
annually appointed to assign permanent seats to the con- 
gregation, in accordance with their ideas of propriety, 
though in conformity to the general rule of "age and 
estate." This office of virtually pronouncing upon the 
worth and respectability of the different members of the 
community was no enviable one, and many were the 
jealousies enkindled by it, not infrequently resulting in sev- 
eral seatings of the church before a satisfactory one could 
be obtained. It is related that a certain worthy individual, 
entering the society under unfavorable prejudices, was 
assigned an obscure seat in a remote corner, and, that 
though he afterwards proved a most valuable acquisition 
to the society, he always clung to his humble seat, to the 
great discomfiture of the committee who had put so low 
an estimate upon his worth. 

Very fortunately, a number of the reports of these 
committees have been preserved, and we are thereby 



35 

furnished with the exact arrangement of the congrega- 
tions of a century ago. These seatings also show us, seated 
side by side, year after year, the immediate ancestoi's of 
such a galaxy of distinguished men as probably few other 
country towns in the land can boast of as her own. Here 
were habitually seated the ancestors of Hon. Millard 
Fillmore, late President of the United States ; the father 
and grandfather of Hon. Uriah Tracy, United States 
Senator from Connecticut and President of the Senate ; 
the ancestors of Hon. L. F. S. Foster, United States 
Senator from Connecticut and also President of the 
Senate ; of Hon. Jeremiah Mason, United States Senator 
from New Hampshire ; of the Hon. Abel Huntington, 
Uri Tracy, Phineas L. Tracy and Albert H. Tracy, mem- 
bers of Congress from the State of New York ; of Hon. 
Alfred P. Edgerton, member of Congress from Indiana ; 
of Hon. John Tracy, Lieut. Governor of New York ; of 
Hon. Ephraim H. Hyde, present Lieut. Governor of 
Connecticut ; of Rev. Azel Backus, Pres't of Hamilton 
college ; of Rev. Charles Backus, Professor of Divinity in 
Yale college ; and of several other distinguished members 
of the clerical profession, as well as of many more who have 
attained honorable eminence in the different walks of life. 
These persons were generally to the manor born, but when 
otherwise, their ancestral homes can all be pointed within 
our territorial limits and most of them have blood relatives 
in our midst. 

It is a favorite theme of congratulation among the sons 
of Connecticut, that their state has given birth to so many 
of the men who have been prominent in the history of the 
nation ; and surely, no town of our extent, in this grand 
old state of Connecticut, can furnish a prouder list than 
our own. Our society, then, may well rejoice that she 
has helped to form the characters of men who have been 



36 

so potent in moulding our country's destiny, and that 
through them her humble influence has been felt through- 
out the length and breadth of the land. 

We have already stated that the action of the committee 
sent out by the General Assembly in 1741, failed to quiet 
the troubled elements of the society. The feelings and 
convictions of the contending parties were too firm to be 
easily yielded, and the eastern party, believing as they 
did, that their rights had been wholly ignored, became 
even more dicontented than before. The next year, 
1742, a large number of memorialists, headed by John 
Durkee and Jacob Hyde, petition the General Assembly, 
saying that the church now being erected by the Assem- 
bly's order, is unjustly located on one side of the society, 
at an unreasonable distance from their homes, and that the 
inconvenience of journeying thither to church will be far 
greater than the burthen of maintaining a separate organ- 
ization, and praying, therefore, for liberty to withdraw 
and form a separate society. The Assembly, unwilling to 
reflect upon the action of its committee, negative the 
petition. Nothing daunted, two years after, the same 
memorialists prefer the same petition, and again fail. 
Two petitions sent in in 1745 from the north-eastern and 
south-eastern parts of the society, meet a similar fate. 
But the popular mind is too deeply roused to be disheart- 
ened by these continued rebuffs, and the next year sixty 
voters renew the petition, and this time so far prevail that 
Jonathan Trumble, John Ledyard and Christopher Avery 
are sent out to West Farms to adjust their difficulties. 
The efforts of this committee prove ineffectual, though 
after their visit the controversy takes an unexpected turn. 
Thomas Dennison, an itinerant preacher, had entered the 
society some time before, and in the prevailing distraction 
gathered a goodly number of disciples. What his par- 




OF FRANKLI N, CONN. 



TK in<Mi3SI0ir. Ill THE MILITAB.!; SERVICE 
TEE COn-NTPT 



37 

ticular tenets were, is uncertain, but it is evident that he 
added fresh fuel to the strife, and contributed in no small 
degree to the change which it assumed soon after his 
arrival. It seems that Rev. Henry Willes stood upon the 
Cambridge Platform of 1608, in which we ma}' presume 
he received the tacit support of the society, as no opposi- 
tion to his views had ever appeared. Of a sudden, how- 
ever, we find half of the society in arms against their pastor 
for his adhesion to the Cambridge Platform, and the other 
half as zealous in his support. The old proposition for a 
division, which doubtless lay at the bottom of this theo- 
logical war, now starts up in a new form. In 1748 the 
General Assembly is petitioned to divide West Farms 
into two societies, one to be planted on the Cambridge, 
the other on the Saybrook Platform. In response to this 
novel memorial, a committee is sent out, who recommend 
no change. Four years later, another committee is sent 
out for the same object, and with the same result. The 
society had now for fifteen years been engaged in uninter- 
rupted strife, during which the arbitration of the legisla- 
ture had been continually invoked, but always with unsat- 
isfactory results, and both parties wisely concluded that 
their troubles, if ever settled, must be settled by them- 
selves and not by the interference of a higher power. 
Accordingly, we find no more petitions to the General 
Assembly. Yet the bitterness and ill will, the discord 
and dissension, are in no wise at an end. For a Avhile the 
seceders, being in the minority, accomplish no visible 
result. But after a few 3-ears the majority apparently 
become convinced that separation alone can restore peace 
and tranquillity, and in March, 1758, consent to the for- 
mation of a new society, provided a boundary line and 
the number of inhabitants to be setoff, can be agreed upon. 
Such is the testy temper, however, that it is as difficult to 
3 



38 



agree upon the boundary line as it has been upon sep- 
aration, and it is not till 1761 that this point can be 
arranged, when, upon the 23d of March, a line is at length 
fixed upon.* These proceedings receive the ready sanc- 
tion of the legislature, and the new society is incorporated 
as the Norwich Eighth or Portipaug society. 

Thus, after twenty years of constant strife, at length 
dawned peace. These years may be called, emphatically, 
the stormy period in the history of our society. Before, 
as after, its proceedings were invariably marked by har- 
mony and unanimity, but during the interval there was a 
display of feeling unparalleled for bitterness and persist- 
ency in the ecclesiastical annals of Connecticut. The 
issue was doubtless best for all concerned, for the existing 
breach was too wide to be ever healed. Yet the loss to 
our society in territory and numbers was a serious one. 
New Concord and the Eighth Society combined, stripped 
her of over half of her territory, and quite half of her 
grand list. 



* "The dividing line shall be as follows ; to begin in the Dividing Line 
between the first societ}' in sd Norwich and sd west society at such a place 
that to run to the Grist Mill of Mr. Timothy Ayer, will pass near the south 
side of the Dwelling House of David Ladd, then from sd Grist Mill to the 
Dwelling House of Mr John Squire in sd societ}', then the same course to sd 
Norwich Town Line." Petition to the Legislature. 

The signers of this petition were : — 



Joseph Bingham, 
John Fillmore, 
Joseph Tenney, 
Joseph Rudd, 
Joseph Hide, 
Saml Badger, 
Daniel Ladd, 
Jabez Rous, 
Benajah Sabin, 
James Elderkin, 
Snml Raymond, 
Eliphalct Fox, 
Asa Armstrong, 
David Lad, 



Simon Abel, 
Saml Kingsle}', 
Andrew French, 
Saml Ladd, Junr, 
Jeremiah Armstrom 
Alpheus Abell, 
Wm. Brett, 
Joseph Ayre, Jr., 
Johnathan Pitcher, 
Benja Armstrong, 
Simon Chapman, 
Thomas Hazen, 
John Kingsley, 
Ephraim Brett. 



Ezekicl Ladd, 
Joseph Ayer, 
John Barker, 
Jacob Hide, Jr., 
John Squire, 
Abner Ladd, 
Barnabus Lothrup, 
Timothy Ayer, 
Richard Ilaskin, 
Josiah Wood, 
Leander Lothrup, 
Simon Peck, 
Daniel Story, 



39 

Scarcely are domestic troubles at an end, when public 
calamities break upon the land, and the men of our society 
are called upon to shoulder arms. Through the French 
war and the long and toilsome Revolution that followed, 
they shrank not from their share of the heavy burthens. 
As Connecticut was first among the states in her contribu- 
tions of men and money, as Norwich was second to no 
town in Connecticut, so West Farms, an integral por- 
tion of the old town of Norwich, met manfully the duties 
of those trying days. Having then no political existence, 
her deeds were swallowed up in those of the larger com- 
munity to which she was attached, and hence receive little 
mention in the local histories. Her volunteers marched 
forth as Norwich volunteers ; as citizens of Norwich, her 
inhabitants met the heavy levies which the necessities of 
the time so often imposed. Why may we not, then, also 
claim a share in the laurels which Norwich won ? But 
we ma}^ also point with pride to particular individuals. 
Our society can boast of having furnished, perhaps, the 
onl)' chaplain, Rev. John Ellis, who remained in the war 
from its beginning to its close. jNIr. Ellis hastened to join 
the army at Roxbury, in the fall of 1775, and faithfully 
followed it through all its vicissitudes, especially doing 
much to cheer the drooping spirits of his comrades during 
the long and gloomy winter at Valley Forge. Here Lieut. 
Jacob Kingsbury began his long and honorable military 
career, serving with distinction during the entire seven 
years of the war. Captains Asa Hartshorne, Ebcnczer 
Hartshorne and Joshua Barker ^vere also in the army 
for different periods, while upon the water. West Farms 
was well represented by the exploits of Captain James 
Hyde. Dr. Luther Waterman was attached as surgeon 
to the forces under Colonel Knowlton in the campaign of 
1776. 



40 

The close of the Revolution left the society in a greatl}' 
embarrassed condition. During- its progress she had con- 
tributed freely of her men and means, entering into the 
contest with such absorbing enthusiasm as left no room 
for the consideration of private or local interests, and at 
its close she found herself utterly prostrated, her school 
houses decayed, the education of her sons neglected, (says 
Dr. Nott, " so far as I can recollect, there was not a man 
that pretended to understand grammar or geography,") 
her farms run to weeds, and her people heavily loaded 
with debt. At no time in her history had her prospects 
been more wretched. A fortunate concurrence of circum- 
stances, however, soon placed her upon her feet, and 
restored her wonted prosperity. In 1782, Rev. Samuel 
Nott, at the unanimous request of both church and 
society, was settled as their pastor. Mr. Nott was a wise, 
judicious man, eminently fitted to harmonize an}- discord- 
ant feeling which might exist, and fitted by his energy to 
infuse fresh life into the prevailing stagnation. Another 
happy event was the incorporation of the West and Eighth 
societies as a separate town, which severed the connection 
of West Farms with Norwich, and ensured a more efficient 
management of local affairs than they had before received. 
Perhaps too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the 
efforts of Rev. Mr. Nott to ameliorate the condition of his 
people. Scrupulously faithful in the discharge of pastoral 
duties, he also did a vast deal toward the education of the 
younger members of his parish, affording them opportuni- 
ties of which they gladly availed themselves. During 
his long ministry more than forty young men were fitted 
for college under his care, twenty of them belonging to 
this town, and " between two and three hundred gentle- 
men, ladies or children " were educated in whole or in 



41 

part.* As an instructor, Dr. Nott was popular and 
singularly successful, and Franklin became the place 
where quite a galax}' of distinguished men received their 
education. Here were gathered under his charge at 
different times. Dr. Eliphalet Nott, President of Union 
college, the brilliant but erratic General Wm. Eaton, 
Lieut. Gov. Tracy, of New York, and many others who 
have since achieved distinguished success in the difterent 
walks of life. Though moving in a humble sphere, Dr. 
Nott, by means of his teachings and wholesome counsels, 
wielded a power for good in the land which it has been 
the privilege of few to surpass. It was mainly due to his 
influence that the Franklin Library was established, in 
1794, an institution which flourished for forty years and 
furnished, for the times, a good collection of miscellaneous 
works. Under these different salutary influences the 
society rapidly retrieved her lost ground, and by the 
beginning of the present century was, perhaps, as flourish- 
ing as ever. 

During the present century the society has witnessed 
few changes. At its commencement she had attained a 
settled state, and since then her affairs have flowed on 
smoothly and prosperously, but so quietly that few marked 
events arrest the attention. One after another, of her ex- 
tended civil powers have dropped from her grasp, so that 
she is now a purel}^ voluntary organization, but the loss is 
more than compensated by the steadil}^ increasing pros- 
perity of her community, and we may safely say that her 
condition was never more hopeful than to-day. The lib- 
erality of former members and friends has also helped to 
to build up her walls, and we cannot pass on without a 
tribute to their memory. Deacon Dyer McCall died May 



* Dr. Nott's Half Century Sermon. 



42 

iQth, 1838, crowning a life of benevolence by bequeath- 
ing the bulk of his fortune to various charitable organiza- 
tions, of which this society was the recipient of one 
quarter, a sum amounting to Two Thousand dollars. 
Eleven years later his wife, Lucy, dying, added a similar 
sum to the fund of the society.* In 1838, also. Miss 
Velina Sanford bequeathed her entire estate to the society, 
thereb}^ adding another thousand to its funds. In 1863, 
Ezra Chappel, Esq., of New London, a gentleman of whole- 
souled benevolence, generously stayed our hands in a time 
of difficulty by contributing Fifteen Hundred dollars for 
building purposes. In this connection Ave cannot omit to 
mention David Edgerton who died in 1768, leaving all 
his real estate forever to be improved for schooling youth 
in this society to the latest generation. Mr. Edgerton 
was a strong pillar of the society in his own day, and the 
rich blessings flowing from his gift arc a proud monument 
to the wisdom and foresight of the giver. Joshua Abel 
was another donor to the society, he having given the 
ground on which our first three churches stood. Let us 
ever hold in grateful remembrance the memory of these 
different benefactors, the fruits of whose benevolence we 
enjoy to-day, and whose charity, the noblest of all human 
qualities, certainly entitles them to the highest place in 
our calendar. 

But the different churches afford the surest landmarks 
for denoting the successive epochs of our history. The 
second church, erected in 1745, battled from its bleak 
eminence with storms and winds for nearly a century, but 
finally had to yield, and, in 1836, gave way to a more 
modern structure, located midway between the places of 



* This 1 idy also made a small bequest for the support of the poor of the 
church. 



43 

the first and second churches. This third church had barel}' 
attained a quarter of the age of its predecessor, when in 
its turn it had to make way for the fourth church, the one 
in which we are at present assembled, and which was 
erected in 1863, a short distance below the location of the 
other churches. The same year the society was enabled, 
by the generosity of the late Edward Chap})cl of New 
London, (to whom allusion has already been made), a chris- 
tian gentleman of unmeasured benevolence, and irrand- 
father of our present pastor, to erect a parsonage. This 
parsonage affords convenient data for locating our first 
three churches. The second church appears to have 
stood upon the exact location of the parsonage, the first 
church immediately East, and the third church imme- 
diately West. 

We have thus followed the history of this community 
from the time when the first settlers pitched their tents in 
these valleys, down through two centuries to the present 
day. We have seen the solitude of the wilderness broken 
by the first log cabin, we have seen the forests gradually 
recede before the advance of civilization, and the rugged 
wildness ol nature slowly exchanged tor a more peace- 
ful beauty, till at length our hills have been crowned with 
the ameliorations of progress, our valleys filled with the 
hum of industry, and the echoes of the war whoop 
drowned in the shriek of the locomotive and the clatter 
of machiner}^ 

Through all these mighty changes, this society has 
been working potently for good. Through all these 
years she has kept a beacon fire alive upon this hill top, 
and drawn up hither generation alter generation, to wor- 
ship God. By the inspiration of her presence, she has 
made this community ever a virtuous, Heaven-fearing 
people, and rendered those who have gone forth from 



44 

here valiant to do battle for the right. Surely, then, her 
part has been well clone. Within her own sphere she has 
faithfully discharged her duties, and who shall measure 
her influence through those sons reared up and sent forth 
to fill exalted stations in other and wider spheres. Let us 
see to it that she declines not in our hands. 



Notes to the Historical Address. 



Note A. 
INDIAN DEED OF NORWICH. 

Deed from Onkos, and his sons Oneco and Attawanhood, Sachems of 
Mohegan, of a tract of Land nine miles square, for the settlement of 
the town of Norwich. Anno Domini 1659. 

As this Deed covers every foot of territory now within the limits of 
the town of Franklin, and as portions of this ancient domain have 
never been alienated, but are still in the occupancy of the descendants of 
the original Proprietors, it has been deemed proper to insert it in this 
place, 

DEED. 

Know All men that Onkos, Owaneco and Attawanhood, Sachems of 
Mohegan, have bargained, sold and passed over, and doe by these 
presents, bargain, sell and pass over unto the Towne and Inhabitants of 
Norwich, nine miles square of lands, lyeing and being at Moheagen and 
the partes thereunto adjoyning, with all ponds, rivers, woods, quarries, 
mines with all Royalties, privileges and appurtenances thereunto belong- 
ing, to them the sayd Inhabitants of Norwich, their heirs and successors 
forever — the sayd lands are to be bounded as followeth, (viz.,) to the 
southward on the west side (of) the Great River commonly called Mon- 
heag River, ye line is to begin at the Brooke falling into the head of 
Trading Cove, and soe to run west norwest seven miles ; — from thence 
the line is to run nor-noreast nine miles ; and on the east side of the 
foresayd River to the southward, the line is to joyne with New-London 
Bounds as it is now laid out and soe to run east Two miles from the 
foresayd River, and so from thence the line is to Run nor-noreast nine 
miles, and from thence to Run nor-norwest nine miles to meet the 
western line. In consideration whereof the sayd Onkos, Owaneco, and 
Attawanhood doe acknowledg to have received of the parties aforesayd, 
the full (and juste) sum of seventy pounds, and doe promise and engage 



46 

ourselves, heirs and successors, to warrant the sayd Bargain and sale to 
the afoi-esayd parties, their heirs and successors and them to defend from 
all claimes or molestations from any whatsoever. In witness whereof 
wee have hereunto set our hands this sixth day of June, Anno 1659. 

Onkos, his '^"^\^ marke. 

Witftess hereunto. 






John Mason, ) Owaneco, his ^^^ marke. 

Thomas Tracy. I 



Attawanhood, his <>?\ marke 



(This Deed is Recorded in the Country Booke^ August 20th, 1663 : 
as Atteste, 

JOHN ALLYN, Secy.) 

Note B. 

INDIAN NAMES. 

Almost the only enduring memorials of the Aborigines are the few 
geographical names which survived their decay, and which still remain, 
constantly reminding us that our streams and hills were once the haunts 
of a different race of men. Too often these names fall meaningless 
upon the ear, charming us by their mellifluence but wholly unintelligible. 
Yet we may be sure that they were primarily significant, and in many 
cases, like so much else in Indian thought, the products of bright fancies, 
so that, could we once arrive at their hidden meaning, its poetry would 
often prove delightful and offer pleasant glimpses into that form of so- 
ciety 'of which they are the only remnants. 

But the difficulties in the way are very great. The early scribes 
wrote Indian as lawlessly as they wrote English, and unquestionably our 
pronunciation of many names of places is very different from the Indian 
pronunciation. They are clipped at one end or both, — anglicized or 
euphonized — until their identity is sometimes quite lost. To decipher 
the meaning of confused words in a dead ard but imperfectly recorded 
language is surely no easy or certain task. Thus premising, we offer the 
following suggestions upon the Indian Names in this vicinity.* 

* For these suggestions the writer is indebted to Hon. J. Hammond Trum- 
bull, of Hartford, a gentleman who has given much time and talent to the 
study of the Indian language, and who is our best authority iu all questions 
pertaining to it. 



47 

1. Shetucket. The termination shows this to be the name of a place, 
not of the river. In the old records it is sometimes written Shotmtackett 
(Conn. Col. Records, iii, 479) and ShoKiattukkd. In Owaneco's Res- 
ervation, (1669), " Shawtuck river " is named. SJian'tiick — et\?> 'on' 
or 'near 'the Shawtuck. Tuk signifies ' mw.' The first syllable, 
Shaw or She, means either 'three' or 'between.' It is impossible to 
say which ; for the form is a corrupt one, — and the two words have in 
Indian (as in many other languages) the same radical. Shetucket 
[She — tuck — et) signifies " at the three rivers," (the place of the three 
rivers), or " at the between rivers " (the place between rivers) ; more 
probably the latter. Either name would be appropriate, as the reader 
will perceive. 

Roger Williams mentions the ^ Vinwa.sho7vatt.'ck-oog?., who lived at 
Wunnajj'//6'7<;';////rX'-gut or, as elsewhere written, shcncatitck-gut. These 
were " the furthermost Nipnet men," and lived, probably, among 
the rivers, or " between the rivers," north of the Massachusetts line. 
Shetucket is with little doubt another form of the same name, in its 
contract form. 

2. Yantic. Old forms, Yantiick, Yontahqiie and (in record of 
Uncas's deed) Yoiiitackc. We incline to derive it from van, ' four ' 
and tuk, ' river '; but there is nearly an equal probability that it is from 

Yode, on, or ' at that side '; the river [which comes in] at that side, 
[or, according to the locus of the speaker, at this side] of the main 
river; i. e., 'The river from one side,' ox lateral tributary. The mode 
of entrance of this stream into the Thames might very naturally suggest 
this name. 

3. Susquetomscot. Otherwise, Sukskotuinskot. The two last syl- 
lables, oinscot, mean, certainly, ' at the rock,' — but the prefix, susquef, 
is doubtful. This prefix qualifies ompsk [znomsc,) ' rock.' For exam- 
ple, soggohtunkan-ompsk, the fli/tt rock ; tomheganompsk, the axe 
rock (or rock from which tomahawks were made,) &c. But we cannot 
fix confidently the meaning of susquet or sukskot. The Susquetomscot 
is our wildest and rockiest stream, and it would be highly interesting to 
know from what circumstance connected with its rockiness it drew its 
name. We naturally infer that the name is in some way connected with 
the rocky gorge near the Peck Hollow Railroad Station. 

4. Pootapaug or Pautipaug. This name was also given to a part of, 
or place in, what is now Essex, — and is written jPaifta-, Porti- and Pettl- 
-paug, -pog, and -patcag. Eliot has almost the exact word, pootuppog 



zxidi pootiippag , for * a baj^,' in Joshua xv : 2, 5. The primary significa- 
tion seems to be, a recess or ' corner ' of water. Foot sai means a cor- 
ner, i. e., interior, not salient j the space included. Literally, y;^^/«/>- 
paug, which Eliot translates ' bay,' signifies ' corner-water,' nearly equiv- 
alent perhaps to our word 'cove.' In Essex this name is appropriate, 
but why it should have been attached to any portion of Franklin is 
difficult to see. 



Note C. 



The following is a complete list of the Thirty-five Original Proprie- 
tors who settled Norwich in 1660. 

These names necessarily occur so often under note D, that a pub- 
lished list will doubtless be found convenient for reference. When not 
prefixed by an asterisk, they were surviving in January, in the year 
1700. 



Rev. James Fitch, the first minister of 

Norwich, 
*Major John Mason, afterwards Lt. Gov. 

of Connecticut, 
Deacon Thomas Adgate, 
Lieut. William Backus, Jr., 
•Stephen Backus, brother of Wm., Jr., 

above, 
*John Baldwin, 
*John Birchard, 
*Thomas Bliss, 
Morgan Bowers, 
*Richard Edgerton, 
*Francis Griswold, 
•Christopher Huntington, 



These settlers came 

from Saybrook and East 

Deacon Simon Huntington, brother of \ Saybrook (now Lyme), 

Christopher, above, to Norwich, i\nno Dom- 

* William Hyde, ini 1660. 

*Samuel Hyde, son of William, above, 
Lieut. Thomas Lefiingwell, 
•Doctor John Olmstead, 
John Post, son-in-law of Wm.. Hyde, 
Thomas Post, 
John Reynolds, 
*Lieut. Thomas Tracy, 
*Thomas Bingham, a minor in 1660, 
•Stephen Gifford, a minor in 1660, 
•Thomas Howard, a minor in 1660, 
John Tracy, a minor in 1660, son ot Lt. 

Thomas Tracy, 
•Josiah Reed, a minor in 1660. 



49 



*Robert Allyn, 

*Deacon Hugh Calkins, 

*John Calkins, son of Dea. Hugh, above, 

* Jonathan Royce, son-in-law of Dea. Hugh 

Calkins, 
*John Gager, 
*John Pease, 
*Nehemiah Smith. 



These settlers came 
from New London to 
Norwich, Anno Domini 
1660. 



*T I, D jr J 1 These settlers came 

*John Bradford, - ivi 1 c u a/t 

V *T? • '-ru 117 . • • rrom IVlarshheld, Mass., 

^ *Knsie:n i homas Waterman, a mmor my ,, ■ 1 a -r^ 

c£. to JNorwich, Anno Dom- 

1660. . . ,^ ' 



ini 1660. 



Note D. 

Brief notices of the principal original settlers of West 
Farms, now Franklin. 

Abell, 'Joshua, came hither from Dedham, Mass., beff)re 1670. He 
settled in the valley east of Meeting House hill, and became a very 
considerable land holder. His dwelling was near the present residence 
of Henry W. Kingsley, but upon the opposite side of the highway. 
The lot upon which the first Meeting House was erected, and which is 
now connected with the parsonage, was a gift from him to the society. 
He married Mehetabel, a daughter of Nehemiah Smith, one of the 
original Thirty-Five (35) Proprietors of Norwich. He had six daugh- 
ters, several of whom were married to first comers. He died March 1 7th, 
1724, in the 77th year of his age. He left no son. His brothers Caleb 
and Benjamin came to the Colony with him, but settled in other part& 
of Norwich. 

Armstrong, Benjamin, son of Jonathan of Westerly, R. I., became 
a settler in 1682. His dwelling was nearly opposite to the entrance to 
the lane leading to the residence of Geo. E. Starkweather. He died 
Jan. 10th, 1717-18, leaving sons Benjamin, John, Joseph and Stephen. 

y^ohn Armstrong married, in 1710, Anne Worth and remained upon 
the paternal homestead, where he had twelve children. His descend- 
ants have been numerous and most of the families in the vicinity bearing 
the name are of his line. He was often entrusted with office in the 
Society which he always worthily filled. He died in 1748. 

Arnold, John, was a land holder both by grant and purchase, as early 
as 1683. After a long occupancy he finally alienated his estate and 



50 

removed to Windham. The "Arnold Place" afterwards became the 
homestead of Rev. Henry Willes. It is new occupied by Dr. Stephen 
Sweet. 

Ayer, John, born in England, was brought to this country while an 
infant, in 1630, by his parents, who located at Haverhill, Mass. He 
married. May 5, 1646, Sarah Williams, of Haverhill, and had by her 
five children. He married for second wife, at Haverhill, March 26, 
1663, Mary Moodam, by whom he had one child. Soon after his 
second marriage he became involved in serious personal difficulties with 
the Massachusetts Indians, and to save his lite moved secretly and alone 
to West Farms. The exact year of his arrival is uncertain, but without 
doubt it was as early as 1665, and he maybe safely called the first white 
settler of the town. His location v/as Ayer's Gap. Here he lived by 
himself for many years, pursuing his favorite vocation of hunting and 
trapping with great success. It is said that in the chase and all the 
mysteries of woodcraft, his skill and sagacity fully equalled that of the 
Indians, between whom and himself there was, indeed, a constant rivalry, 
which not infrequently ripened into open warfare. Many are the tra- 
ditions of this strange man, lingering around the scenes of his life, and 
his adventures with Indians and wild beasts still form the theme of 
numerous stories related with zest around the winter's fire. These 
stories, without exception, delineate him as a man of striking eccentri- 
cities, but withal, of great endurance, heroic fortitude and a rare presence 
of mind that never forsook him in time of danger. 

Rattlesnakes were the only foes whom John Ayer feared. These 
swarmed into his cabin in such numbers from the surrounding ledges, 
that he was almost in despair, and thought of abandoning the place. 
But a friend in Massachusetts urged him first to try the efficiency of 
hogs in destroying the reptiles. x^ccordingly, Ayer procured several 
hogs from the nearest settlement, and these soon effectually rid his 
premises of his troublesome visitors. 

His son Joseph, born at Haverhill, March 16, 1658, married, Nov. 
24, 1686, Sarah Corliss, of Haverhill, where he continued till about the 
year 1700, when he removed to West Farms to reside with his father, 
now well stricken in years, bringing with him his youngest two sons, 
Joseph and Timothy. The descendants of Mr. Ayer still remain in 
Franklin. 

Backus, Lieut. Williajn, Jr., the Proprietor, had sons William, 
John, Joseph and Nathaniel. 

Nathaniel Backus married Elizabeth Tracy and settled at West Farms. 



51 

His dwelling was where Col. T. G. Kingsley now resides. Jabez, their 
fourth child, born in Aug. 1712, married Eunice Kingsbury and remained 
upon the paternal homestead. He was the father of Rev. Charles 
Backus, D. D., the acute and able theologian. The Rev. Azel Backus, 
D. D., first President of Hamilton College, also descended from him 
through his eldest son Jabez, being his grandson. 

Badger, ^ohii, came early to West Farms from Newbury, Mass. His 
place was on Center Hill on the old road leading north from the resi- 
dence of the late Backus Smith. He had a son, Samuel, but the name 
has long been extinct in the town.- For site of dwelling see accompany- 
ing map. 

Barsfow, yob, a son of John, of Scituate, Mass, was born March 8, 
1679. He came hither early in life and settled where Joseph I. Hyde 
now resides. This place had previously been in the occupancy of 
Joseph Reynolds. He married Rebecca, a daughter of Joseph Bushnell, 
and had sons Jonathan, Ebenczer and Get-once, and daughter Jerusha. 
His name often appears upon the records of the Society in honorable 
relations. 

Bingham, Deo. Thomas, an original Proprietor of Norwich in 1660, 
and the common ancestor of the Connecticut families of the name, was 
the son of Thomas and Mary Bingham, of Sheffield, England, and was 
born about 1642. He married Mary Rudd and became an early 
resident of Windham. His son, Thomas, born December 11, 1667, 
married Hannah Backus and succeeded to the privileges of his father as 
a proprietor in Norwich. Their eldest son Thomas, of the third gen- 
eration, born Nov. 20, 1692, married Hannah Edgerton and settled at 
West Farms. His dwelling was located where the late Tommy Hyde 
resided. The name is not to be found upon the records of a later date 
than 1737. 

Bir chard, yohn, was born on the other side of the water in 1628, 
and emigrated to the New World with his father, Thomas Birchard, at 
the age of seven years. After residing successively at Hartford and 
Saybrook, he came to Norwich in 1660 as one of the original thirty-five 
Proprietors. He was much esteemed by his fellow townsmen and by the 
citizens generally, serving as Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace, Deputy 
to the General Court and, for a time, Clerk of the County Court. He 
married Christian Andrews, July 1st, 1653, by whom he had fourteen 
(14) children. He married for a second wife Jane, the widow of Sam- 



52 

uel Hyde, the Proprietor, and became the guardian of her minor chil- 
dren. He resided for a time at West Farms upon the original Hyde 
domain where O. L. Johnson now lives. He subsequently removed to 
Lebanon where he died in 1702. 

Birchard, J^ames, son of the above, was born in Norwich, July 1 6th, 
1665. He early became a resident in West Farms. His dwelling was 
on " Birchard's Playne " a short distance south of the Franklin Cemetery 
and upon the same side of the highway. Public worship was sometimes 
held at his house on the Sabbath, before the completion of the First 
Church. He seems to have been an estimable member of society. He 
married Elizabeth Beckwith, by whom he had ten children. His long 
and useful life was ended here, but none of his name or blood now reside 
within the limits of the town. 

Crocker, Samuel, was a son of Thomas, of New London, where he 
was born in 1677. He early purchased twenty acres of land of Capt. 
Joseph Tracy, on Little Lebanon hill, now Crocker hill. His dwelling 
was located upon the slope of the hill, about midway from the base to the 
summit, upon the west side of the highway. He seems to have been an 
active and influential member of the settlement. In 1716 he served 
on an important committee, and his name often appeared upon the records 
of the society at later dates. In 1722 he served as a selectman. He 
had children, Samuel, John, Jabez and Hannah, but his descendants of 
the name have long since ceased to be residents of the place. 

Dotvner, Joseph, Sen., settled at West Farms before 1700. His res- 
idence was upon the old road in the north part of the Society, which is 
now discontinued. For site of dwelling see accompanying map. 

He had sons, Andrew, Richard and Joseph, who were active at the 
organization of the Society. They all married and probably all settled at 
West Farms, where their names are to be found as late as 1737. 

Durkee, Dea. 'yoJin, son of John, of Ipswich, Mass., was born Nov. 
23d, 1689. He at first settled at Gloucester in his native state, but about 
1720 removed to West Farms. He purchased lands of John Waterman, 
Jr., upon Portipaug hill, and his dwelling was located a short distance 
south of where Charles T, Hazen now lives, and upon the same side of 
the highway. His wife, Mary, died in 1732. He married for a second 
wife in 1738, Hannah Adgate, 

In 1735, he was elected to the office of deacon in the West Farms 
church. His descendants have not been numerous. 



53 

Elderkin, 'yoJin, Carpenter and Millwright, we find successively at 
Boston, Dedham, New-London, and finally at Norwich, in 1664. He 
was termed one of the second class of Proprietors, and had two home 
lots granted to him. 

John Elderkin, Jr., eldest son of the above, early became a settler 
upon the west bank of the Shetucket river near Lord's (then Elderkin's) 
Bridge, and his dwelling was located upon the precise spot that is now 
occupied by the large boarding house of the Messrs. A. & W, Sprague, 
in the village of Baltic, He was the proprietor of the saw and grain 
mills near by. He often acted officially in the new society, and was 
particularly designated to direct in the layout of suitable highways or 
roads from the outskirts of the settlement to the church. The name 
long since disappeared from our records. 

Edgerton, Samuel, was the third son and fifth child of Richard, 
another of the Thirty-Five Proprietors of Norwich. He was born in 
May, 1670, and probably settled at West Farms before 1700. He 
erected his dwelling where James C. Griswold now lives. He was a 
petitioner for a separate ecclesiastical organization in 1716, and afterwards 
was frequently elected to fill important offices in the gift of the society. 
In 1 703 he married Alice Ripley, of Windham. David, his sixth son, 
born Aug. 28, 1718, was the founder of the Edgerton School Fund. 
For his place of residence see accompanying map. 

Edgerton, Joseph, was a younger brother of the above, being the 
fourth son of Richard. He also settled at West Farms shortly before 
1700. His. location was upon Lebanon Road and his dwelling was where 
the late Guilbert Lamb formerly resided. He was also a petitioner for a 
new ecclesiastical organization and was often entrusted with office. He 
married, in 1702, Experience Pratt, and had several children. He was 
the ancestor of Bela Edgerton, Esq., and of Hon. Alfred P. Edgerton, 
late member of Congress from Indiana. 

Fillmore, Capt. John, son of John Fillmore, "Mariner," of Ipswich, 
Mass., was born March 18, 1702. At an early age he was apprenticed 
to a ship carpenter in Boston, where, constantly meeting with seafaring 
men, he soon imbibed a longing for their mode of life. After several 
years of pleading he at length wrung from his mother a reluctant consent, 
■ind shipped in the spring of 1723 for a fishing voyage upon the sloop 

Dolphin," of Cape Ann. 

The following August the " Dolphin " was surprised and captured off 
^'foundland by the notorious pirate, Capt. John Phillips. One of the 

4 



54 

pirate's crew happening to be an old acquaintance of Fillmore, repre- 
sented to the Captain that he would prove a valuable acquisition to the 
crew if he could be induced to join them. Accordingly, young Fillmore 
was taken oft", but promised his liberty after two months of faithful service. 
At the expiration of the appointed time, he demanded his liberty, which 
was denied him for some frivolous reason. The Captain, however, 
promised upon his honor to liberate him at the end of three additional 
months. But at the expiration of these months, Phillips positively 
refused to release him, and Fillmore determined to effect his own escape 
at the earliest opportunity. 

One night, about nine months after his capture, the pirates had a grand 
carousal and retired at a late hour. This seemed a favorable opportunity, 
and Fillmore determined to secure posession of the ship with the assist- 
ance of three fellow prisoners, one of whom, however, was overcome 
with fear at the decisive moment, so that but three individuals were left 
to cope with the entire crew. They knew that the pirates after their 
drinking would not rise till late in the morning, and made their arrange- 
ments to attack them when they should first come upon deck, making use 
of the carpenter's tools for weapons. About noon the Captain, Master, 
Boatswain and Quartermaster came upon deck. Soon the Master pro- 
ceeded to take an observation, the Captain and Boatswain engaged in 
conversation and the Quartermaster returned to the cabin. Now was 
the moment. The three officers upon deck are felled by unexpected 
blows, and the Quartermaster rushing from the cabin meets a similar fate. 
The officers being thus disposed of it is a comparatively easy matter to 
compel the surrender of the crew who are still all below. 

The vessel was taken direct to Boston by this little band of heroes, 
where they arrived May 3, 1724. The crew were convicted of piracy by 
a court of admiralty. This court presented Mr. Fillmore with a gun, 
silver hiked sword and curious tobacco box which belonged to Captain 
Phillips, and also with the silver shoe and knee buckles, and two gold rings 
which he used to wear. These trophies of a worthy ancestor are still 
preserved among his descendants. 

Mr. Fillmore never returned to the sea. He married, Nov. 24, 1724, 
Mary Spiller, of Ipswich, and removed to Norwich West Farms. Here 
he continued to reside through a long life, strong in the confidence of his 
townsmen. He died Feb. 22, 1777. 

Gager, Jolui, the Proprietor, was the son of Dr. William Gager, v 
came to this country with Gov. Winthrop in 1630, and died the s 
year. John Gager, the original Proprietor as above, had sons Joh» 
Samuel, besides six daughters. John, the eldest son, died without-- 



55 

Samuel removed to New Concord. John, the eldest son of Samuel, 
settled at West Farms, and his dwelling was where Henry L. M. Ladd 
now resides. He married Jerusha, a daughter of Job Barstow, and has 
had a good number of descendants who have been useful and reliable 
members of society. 

Griswold, Samuel, son of Capt. Samuel, and grandson of Lieut. 
Francis Griswold, an original Proprietor of Norwich, was born about 
1689. When a young man, he settled in the eastern section of West 
Farms in what is now the village of Baltic, and his dwelling was located 
where the Baltic House now stands. He was the ancestor of the late 
Caleb Griswold. 

HartsJiorne, Dea. David, was the sixth son of Thomas, of Reading, 
Mass., where he was born Oct. 18, 1657. He married, 1680, Rebecca, 
daughter of John Batchelor, and had four sons and one daughter. His 
latest residence in the Bay State was at Medfield. He purchased lands 
at West Farms in 1697, of Ensign Thomas Waterman, and removed 
thither soon afterwards. His place of residence was where Geo. E. 
Starkweather now lives. He was one of the original deacons of the church, 
selectman in 1709, and foremost in civil and ecclesiastical affairs till his 
death, in 1738. His descendants have been numerous and respectable. 
Of their number may be mentioned the brave Capt, Asa Hartshorne, who 
was slain at the battle of the Miamis, Aug. 20, 1794. See Note G. 

Hartshorne, 'yonathan, was an elder brother of the above, and they 
accompanied each other to the new settlement. His place of residence 
was upon the old Windham road where Horatio Flyde now lives. His 
name often appears upon the records of the society in connection with 
official trusts. The late Dr. Elijah Hartshorne was one of his descend- 
ants. 

Hazen, Lieut. Thomas, emigrated from Boxford, Mass., to West 
Farms near the commencement of the last century, and settled upon the 
place which is now in tlie occupancy of E. P. Ladd, and which was held 
and improved by his descendants for several generations, and which has 
been but recently alienated. He was one of the Society Committee in 
1716, and frequently held office thereafter. At this period, men of ma- 
ture years and ripe experience had the preference for important official 
positions. 

His wife Mary died in 1727, and he himself eight years later. He 
now has descendants in the place and vicinity. 



56 

Huntingtoft, Christophe?-, one of the original Thirty-Five Proprietors 
of Norwich, was born in England about 1630, and emigrated to this 
country with his parents a few years later. He was a son of William 
and a grandson of Simon Huntington and Margaret Baret. He married, 
1652, Ruth Rockwell of Windsor, and Christopher, his fourth child was 
born Nov. 1, 1660. This was the first male child born in Norwich. 

Christopher, son of the first born male of Norwich and grandson of 
Christopher the Proprietor, settled at West Farms upon domain now in 
the occupancy of Azariah Huntington, his great-grandson. He was a 
pillar in the church and society in his day. Several of his descendants 
have held official positions in the church. Rev. Asahel, of Topsfield, 
Mass., the father of Judge Huntington of Salem was of his line of 
descent. 

Hyde, Sajmiel, another of the Thirty-five Proprietors, was the only 
son of William, also a Proprietor, and was born at Hartford in 1636. 
He married, 1659, Jane, daughter of Thomas Lee, of East Saybrook, 
now Lyme, and in the month of August of the year following, had 
daughter Elizabeth, who was the first female child born in Norwich of 
English descent. Shortly afterward she removed to West Farms, where, 
probably, his six remaining children were all born. He settled in the 
valley east of Meeting House hill and his dwelling was upon the site 
where O. L. Johnson, one of his descendants, now lives. He died in 
1677. 

Hyde, 'J^ohn, second son of the above, born at West Farms 1667. 
Married Experience Abell and settled at Wawekus Hill. But his fourth 
son, Capt. Matthew Hyde married Elizabeth Huntington and returned 
to West Farms which became permanently his place of residence. For 
site of his dwelling see accompanying map. 

His descendants have been numerous and respectable. The late Rev. 
Eli Hyde was of the number. 

Hyde, Thomas, fourth son of Samuel, born at West Farms in July, 
1672, married Mary Backus and remained upon the paternal homestead. 
He was familiarly called the First Thomas Hyde. His eldest son born 
in 1699 the Second, and Capt. Thomas, first born of the "second'' 
Thomas, and father of the late Jared Hyde, the Third Thomas Hyde. 
He was a useful member of society and his descendants have been nu- 
merous and highly respectable. Of some of the more distinguished may 
be mentioned the names of Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., of Rev. John 
Hyde, of Rev. Lavius Hyde and of the Hon. E. H. Hyde, present 
Lieut. Gov. of the State. 



57 

Hyde, Capt. Jabez, the fifth and youngest son of Samuel, was born at 
West Farms, 1677. He married Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Captain 
Richard Bushnell, and had his dwelling at the foot of Crocker Hill upon 
Lebanon road, where Dwight Fargo now resides. He was the first Clerk 
of the society, and continued to hold the office for a long term of years. 
He was also a Justice of the Peace and represented the town of Norwich 
thirteen sessions in the Colonial Legislature. He was the owner of a 
large landed estate and was accounted a prosperous farmer. He died 
Sept 5, 1762. His descendants have been numerous and have filled an 
important place in society here and elsewhere. The late Judge John 
Hyde, and Lewis Hyde, Esq., both of Norwich, were of his line of 
descent. 

Johnson, y^ohn, was at West Farms as early as 1677. His place 
was in " Lebanon Valley," and his dwelling upon the site now occupied 
by the mansion of Bela T. Hastings. William and Ebenezer were 
probably his sons, and Dea. Isaac Johnson was his grandson. His de- 
scendants, though not numerous, have filled no unimportant place in 
society. 

Kingsbury, Dea. J^oseph, came early from Haverhill, Mass., to West 
Farms, with wife Love (Ayer) and sons Joseph and Ephraim. He erected 
his dwelling upon Middle of Center Hill on domain that has never been 
alienated by his descendants of the name. He was chairman of the 
meeting at which the society was organized in 1716, and was chosen one 
of the first deacons of the church two years later. He died in 1741. His 
son, Capt. Joseph Kingsbury, succeeded him as an officer of the church 
in 1735, and also held other important trusts, being selectman in 1723, 
and a representative to the General Court five sessions, from 1731 to 
1742. He married Ruth Dennison, who, at the time of her decease at 
the age of 93 years, left 231 descendants. 

The descendants of Joseph Kingsbury, Sen., have been numerous and 
have done not a little to shape the history of the town. Andrew, of 
Hartford, for a long time State Treasurer, and the late Col. Jacob, of 
Franklin, and Judge John, of Waterbury, were of the number. 

Ladd, David, was an early settler and resided upon Pleasure Hill on 
the same premises that were owned and occupied till very recently by 
his descendant, Joseph D. Ladd. He married Mary Waters and had 
sons, Samuel, Ezekiel and Joseph. 

Ladd, Nathaniel, was also an early settler and resided upon the place 
lately occupied by Benjamin Blackman. He was an individual of con 



58 

siderable prominence in civil and ecclesiastical affairs, having served as 
selectman in 1721 and having been chosen to important offices in the 
society. He married and had several children born here, but ceased to 
be a resident about 1728. This place was subsequently owned and 
improved by David Ladd, probably a brother of Nathaniel. 

Lathrop, Israel, third son of Samuel, who emigrated to Norwich as 
one of the second class of Proprietors in 1668, and grandson of Rev. 
John, an Independent minister in London, and afterwards in Scituate 
and Barnstable, had seven sons who, according to tradition, settled upon 
seven hills. 

William Lathrop, second son of Israel, settled on Plain Hill and had 
ten sons. The late Jesse Lathrop of this place was his grandson. John 
L. Motley, the Historian, descended from him through Rev. John 
Lathrop, D. D., of Boston. 

Serj. Israel Lathrop, Jr., another son of Israel, came to West 
Farms early and settled upon Blue Hill. His dwelling was upon the 
eastern declivity of the hill. For its particular site see accompanying 
map. 

Capt. y^ohn Lathrop, also son of Israel, Sen., settled early upon 
Meeting House Hill. His dwelling was near the present residence of 
Joseph A. Griffin. Clergymen and distinguished individuals from 
abroad were often his guests during their temporary sojourn in the place. 

The names of Serj. Israel, Jr., and Capt. John Lathrop often appear 
upon the records of the Society, which would indicate that they ren- 
dered important services which were duly appreciated. 

Those bearing the name of Lathrop in this vicinity at this day, de- 
scended from William and Israel, Jr. 

Mason, jf^eremiah, son of David and Dorothy (Hobert) Mason, 
grandson of Lieut. Daniel, and great-grandson of the famous Major 
John Mason, early settled at West Farms upon lands bordering upon 
Lebanon. This estate is still in the name, and his dwelling was upon 
the same site if it is not the same structure that is now occupied by his 
lineal descendant, James F. Mason. His name often appears upon the 
records and always in relations that would show him to be a leading 
man. He was the ancestor of the late Hon. Jeremiah Mason, United 
States Senator from New Hampshire. 

Moselv, Increase, was an early settler at West Farms. He probably 
resided where the tenant house of John Frink now stands. He was one 



59 

of the petitioners for a society organization in 1716, and his name there- 
after occasionally appears upon the early records. He died in 1731. 
Had a son Increase, born in 1712, who married Deborah Tracy, of 
Windham, and removed to Woodbury about 1740 where he became a 
distinguished civilian. Also had a son Peabody, born in 1724, who 
married Mary, the eldest daughter of Captain Jacob Hyde, and became 
a Baptist clergyman. His field of labor was first at Norwich. He 
afterwards preached at Mansfield and Granby in this State. About the 
year 1780 he joined the society of Shakers at New Lebanon, New York. 

Peck, Boijaiuiu, was a descendant of Henry, of New Haven, and 
came hither before 1700. His dwelling was where the house of H. H. 
Willes now stands. The stated worship on the Sabbath was held at 
Benjamin Peck's house in the winter and at his barn in the summer, 
till the first church was ready for use. 

In 1720 the Society "Voted Benjamin Peck 15 shillings for half an 
acre of land on Birchard's Playne, where he buried his daughter Eliza- 
beth, for a Burying Place." This early action of the Society resulted 
in the permanent location of the Franklin Cemetery, which has been 
twice enlarged since. The selection proved to be most judicious. He 
died in 1742. His offspring has been somewhat numerous — the late 
Capt. Bela Peck, of Norwich, being of the number. 

Pember, J^ohn, was the son of Thomas and Agnes Pember, of New 
London, where he was born in 1698. He married, 1716, Mary, 
daughter of the First Thomas Hyde. He became the first sexton at 
West Farms. This office was successively filled by his descendants for 
several generations. His dwelling was where Col. G. Pendleton now 
resides. He died in 1783. Although his descendants have not been 
numerous, the name is still to be found in the town. 

Pettis, Samuel, was an early settler on Blue Hill. His descendants 
have successivaly improved the same estate till recently. The late 
Peter Pettis, who inherited both the homestead and the peculiarities of 
his ancestor, was the last to bear the name. 

Reynolds, 'yoseph, son of Joseph and grandson of John, the Proprie- 
tor, was an early settler at West Farms, and had his dwelling where 
Joseph I. Hyde now resides. He married in 1717, Hannah Bingham. 
In 1723 he served as a member of the Prudential Committee of the 
Society but soon afterwards alienated his estate to Job Barstow, and the 
name disappeared from the records. 



6o 

Rood, Micah, the youngest son of Thomas Rood, who was an early 
settler upon the east side of the Shetucket, removed in 1699 to West 
Farms, and located in Peck Hollow. Micah had upon his farm an 
apple tree which bore large, fair fruit, but always with a red globule, 
like a clot of blood, near the center of each apple. The apple, which 
has become a great favorite in this vicinity, and is called the Mike apple, 
from its originator,* still retains this peculiarity and is the object of 
much curious inquiry. The drop of blood invariably found in every 
apple is a standing wonder in childhood's days, and the story of its 
origin handed down from father to son for over a hundred years, has at 
length grown to be a fixed tradition, implicitly received. As the story 
runs, a pedlar entered town, vending such costly and luxurious wares as 
had never before been seen in the settlement. The simple Micah, 
dazzled by the display, invited the pedlar to his house, and at an evil 
moment plunged a knife to his heart beneath this very tree, so that 
his life blood flowed down and mingled with its roots. The next 
spring its blossoms changed from snowy white to red, and in August 
when the apples came tumbling down, large and yellow and juicy, hor- 
ror of horrors, there hung in every one a drop of blood. There they lay 
before the terrified Micah, the evidences of his now never to be forgot- 
ten deed. With nature in springtime and autumn so strangely promp- 
ting the goadings ot his conscience, who shall wonder that the simple- 
hearted Micah should change into a morose and melancholy man, and 
lead an accursed lite ? Such was the fact. Time went for naught but 
the memory of his crime, business was neglected, and soon from a pros- 
perous farmer he became a pauper, dependent upon the charities of the 
community. In 1717 he was glad to increase his slender means by 
assuming charge of the meeting house, receiving therefor a peck of corn 
yearly from each family in the society, f 

Of his last years and pauper's death the records tell briefly but sig- 
nificantly : — 

July 5, 1727. The inhabitants do now, by their vote, agree to allow 
to each man that watches with Micah Rood, two shillings per night. 
Also to those who have attended sd Rood by day, three shillings per day, 

December 17, 1728. To Jacob Hyde for digging Micah Rood's 
grave, £0, 4s, od. 



* Thirty years ago it was called indifferently the Alike, or the A'^w/ apple, 
but now the former name has generally obtained. 

f October ye first day, 1717. Ye society agreed by their vote yt each 
family shall give Micah Rood a Peck of Corn for sweeping ye Meeting House 
one year. 



6i 

In face of the facts, who shall pronounce the story of Micah Rood a 
fiction, or think it too strange that Nature should thus record her horror 
of human crime ? 

Rudd, Serj. Nathaniel, was a son of Jonathan, of Saybrook. He 
early settled at West Farms, and his dwelling was on the Portipaug 
Road a short distance north of Smith's Corners. He was chairman 
of the first committee elected by the society after its organization, and 
besides, took a prominent part in the civil affairs of the settlement. 
By first marriage in 1685 to Mary Post, he had son Jonathan and three 
daughters. By second marriage in 1705-6 to Abigail Hartshorne, had 
son Nathaniel and other children. He died in 1727. 

Rudd, 'Jonathan, eldest son of the above, was born at West Farms, 
May 22, 1693. He married, Oct. 27, 1720, Joanna Gregory of Strat- 
ford, and had five children. His name often occurs upon the records 
of the society in official relations. His almost life-long residence was 
in a rural situation on the hill in a north-westerly direction from that of 
his father. He died in 1772. Five years afterwards his late dwelling 
was used as a pest house where soldiers from the army were inoculated 
and treated for small pox. It was then that his son Jonathan, at the 
time the occupant of the premises, fell a victim to that disease. 

It was in this secluded retreat, with wild surroundings, that the young 
and talented Ebenezer Hartshorne first met the amiable and accom.plished 
Miss Miriam Gregory, of Stratford, whom he afterwards wedded and 
with whom he lived for a period of sixty-five years in the enjoyment of 
domestic bliss unalloyed. Their early and romantic correspondence is 
still extant. 

Rudd, Nathaniel, Jun., son of Serj. Nathaniel, had his dwelling 
where John O. Cross now lives. He married, Dec. 22, 1730, Mary 
Backus, and had a numerous family of children. 

Sabin, Capt. ^oJin, was born in Pomfret, Conn., 1696. He came to 
West Farms soon after the organization of the society, and had his res- 
idence where John Frink now lives. He acted a prominent part in civil 
and ecclesiastical affairs in his time. His death occurred March 28, 
1742. He was a maternal ancestor of Hon. L. F. S. Foster. 

See Physicians, Note G. 

Sliiman, Thomas, son of Thomas and Sarah (Bliss) Sluman, was an 
ear'y setter at West Farms, and had his residence and place of busines 
near the Peck Hollow station on the New London and Northern Rail 



62 

Road, where he had a saw and corn mill for this part of the settlement. 
His name is on the petition for the organization of a new society in 
1716, and two years later he acted upon a committee which petitioned 
the General Assembly for the organization of a church. Although he 
took an active part in ecclesiastical affairs in his day, the name has long 
since ceased to be found upon the records. 

Smith, Seiy. Obadiah, afterwards called Captain, was a son of Edward, 
and a grand-nephew of Nehemiah Smith, the Proprietor. He married 
a daughter of Joshua Abell, and early settled at West Farms. His 
dwelling was where Edward A. Allyn now resides. He was one of the 
petitioners for the organization of a new society, and a member of the 
first committee of the society after its organization. He was active and 
useful in the settlement to the time of his death in 1727, at the age of 
50 years. His descendants, though not numerous, have ever been found 
in the place. He was the ancestor of the late Rev. Joshua Smith, and 
of A. B. Smith, now Postmaster of Franklin. 

Tracy, Lieut. Thomas, the Proprietor, came from Tewksbury in Glou- 
cestershire, to New England in 1636. After residing for a short time at 
Salem, Mass., he removed to Wethersfield, Conn., and a few years later 
to Saybrook. When a resident at this place in 1645, he, with others, 
relieved Uncas, the Sachem of Mohegan, with provisions when he was 
besieged at Shattuck's Point by Pessechus, Sachem of the Narragansets ; 
which led to the subsequent grant of the town of Norwich in 1659, 
In 1660 he came to Norwich as one of the pioneer settlers. He was 
evidently a leading man in this new locality, for in addition to other 
important appointments Vi^hich he received, his name is on the roll of 
the Legislature as a representative from Norwich at twenty-seven sessions. 

By his first marriage to the widow of Edward Mason, at Wethersfield, 
he had six sons and a daughter. He died Nov. 7, 1685, at the age of 
75 years. 

Tracy, Capt. John, eldest son of the above, born about 1643, was 
also classed as one of the Thirty-five Proprietors of Norwich. He 
settled very early at West Farms and had his dwelling where the late 
Almond Tracy resided. He was a Justice of the Peace, and represented 
the town of Norwich six sessions in the Colonial legislature. He 
married, June 10, 1670, Mary Winslow, a niece of Gov. Edward 
Winslow of Plymouth, and had sons John, Joseph and Winslow. He 
died in 1702, leaving an estate of between three and four thousand 
acres of land. 



63 

Tracy, J^o/ui, zd, eldest son of the above, born 1673, married Eliza- 
beth Leffingwell, and settled upon the paternal homestead where his 
descendants continue to reside to the present time. He was the ances- 
tor of Hon. Uri Tracy, a member of Congress from the State of New 
York, and of Hon. John Tracy, for six years Lieut. Gov. of the same 
state. Governor Tracy was the sixth John Tracy, each of his prede- 
cessors of the name representing a generation. These six John Tracys 
were in the line of primogeniture, and all natives of West Farms, except 
the first, who was the Proprietor. 

Tj'acy, Capt. Joseph, second son of John, the Proprietor, was born 
at West Farms, April 20, 1682, and had his dwelling near the residence 
of the late J. W. Kingsley. He was a Justice of the Peace and repre- 
sentative of the town several sessions in the Colonial legislature. He 
married, Dec. 31, 1705, Mary, daughter of Caleb Abcll, and had ten 
children. His second son. Dr. Elisha Tracy, graduated at Yale college 
in 1738, became a distinguished physician and settled near the Town 
Plot ; was the father of the late Dr. Philemon Tracy and the ancestor 
of the Honorables Phineas Lyman Tracy and Albert Haller Tracy, 
both of whom were members of Congress from the State of New York. 

Tracy, Scrj. JVmslow, third son of John, the Proprietor, was born 
at West Farms, Feb. 9, 1689. He married Rachel Ripley, and had his 
dwelling upon Windham road a short distance north of the Kingsbury 
mansion. He was a petitioner for a new ecclesiastical organization, and 
was for a long time an active and influential member of society. Col. 
Uriah Tracy, member of Congress and United 'States Senator from 
Connecticut, was his grandson. 

Waterman, Thomas, the Proprietor, was the second son of Robert, 
of Marshfield, where he was born, 1644. He married Miriam, daughter 
of Lieut. Thomas Tracy, and had sons Thomas and John. Thomas, 
the eldest, married, June 20, 1691, Elizabeth Allyn, and had seven sons 
and two daughters. Ensign Thomas Waterman, the eldest, settled at 
West Farms, and had his residence on the old Waterman road north- 
west of the church. His name often appears upon the early records, and 
his homestead was successively occupied by several generations of his 
descendants, but none of his name or blood remain in the place. 

Other individuals early appeared in the settlement whom we have not 
been able definitely to locate. Of these we would particularly mention 
William Moore, Jonathan Crain and Peter Cross. These persons were 
at most but temporary residents. The last two probably removed to 
that part of Windham which is now Mansfield. 



64 

Thomas Wood, the carpenter, Jonathan Roise (Royce), John Harris, 
Ebenezer Case and John Hutchens appeared at a later day. These 
individuals, also, after a residence of a few years, removed to other 
localities. 



Note E. 



COLLEGE GRADUATES. 

This list is designed to include the names of those graduates of the 
different colleges of the country who have been raised up in Franklin, 
and who are generally natives of the place. When not to the manor 
born, their immediate and generally more remote ancestors have been so 
identified with the history of the town as to make it proper that their 
names should find a place in our catalogue. 



Yale College. 

738 — Doctor Elisha Tracy, 

763 — Sanford Kingsbury, 

767 — Jonathan Kingsbury, 

769 — Reverend David Avery, 

769 — Reverend Charles Backus, D. D., 

777 — John Barker, M. D., 

778 — Honorable Uriah Tracy, 

786 — Reverend Jonathan Ellis, 

786 — Honorable John Kingsbury, 

787 — Reverend Azel Backus, D. D., 

788 — Honorable Jeremiah Mason, LL. D., 

789 — Honorable Uri Tracy, 

803 — Reverend Eli Hyde, 

803 — Reverend John Hyde, 

806 — Doctor John Hazen, 

815 — Reverend Elijah Hartshorne, 

8 1 7 — David Nevins Lord, 

819 — Honorable Asahel Huntington, 

833 — Reverend Joshua Smith, 

843 — Reverend Robert Palmer Stanton, 

846 — Reverend Joseph Willes Backus, 

850 — Reverend George Sherman Converse, 

855 — P. Henry Woodward, 

867 — Richard William Woodward. 



65 

Dartmouth College. 

1785 — Reverend Alvan Hyde, D. D., 
1786 — Reverend Asahel Huntington, 
1788 — Reverend Oliver Ayer, 
1794 — Reverend Jabez Munsell, 
1815 — Elisha Huntington, M, D. 

MlDDLEBURY CoLLEGE. 

1809 — Bela Edgerton. 

Williams College. 
1813 — Reverend Lavius Hyde, 

Brown University. 

1 795 — Reverend Eliphalet Nott, D. D., LL.D., 
1828 — Honorable LaFayetteS. Foster, LL.D. 

Amherst College. 
1824 — Reverend Beaufort Ladd. 

Union College. 

1808 — Reverend Samuel Nott, Jr., 
1809 — Reverend David Huntington, 
1822 — Reverend Stephen Tertius Nott, 
1831— Orsamus H. Marshall, A.M., 
1834 — Reverend Albert T. Chester, D. D., 
1846 — Reverend John W. Nott, 
1849 — Anson Gleason Chester, A. M. 

Note F. 

A list of the Clergym^^n who have been raised up in 
Franklin, with brief sketches of some that have deceased. 

Avery, Rev. David, son of John and Lydia (Smith) Avery, was 
born at West Farms, April 5, 1746. He became hopefully pious at an 
early age under the preaching of Whitfield, and shortly afterwards en- 
tered Moor's Indian Charity School in Lebanon with special reference 
* to a collegiate education. By close application while here he was 
enabled to enter college a year in advance, and graduated at Yale in 



66 

1769. While in college he improved his vacations in instructing Indian 
youth in various localities. His theological education was under the 
direction of Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, D. D., of" Dartmouth College. 
This having been completed, he was ordained as a missionary to the 
Oneida Indians, Aug. 29, 1771. As the result of an accident he was 
compelled to abandon this field of labor and return to New England. 
Two years later, March 25, 1773, he was installed at Gaysboro', (now 
Windsor, Vt.,), and from April 18, 1776 to Feb^ 1, 1780, he served 
as a chaplain in the army. 

After leaving the army he lived and preached at Wrentham, Mass., 
and various other places, till in 1817 he was invited to settle at Middle- 
town, Va. On the evening of a day of fasting, preparatory to his in- 
stallation, he was seized with typhus fever which soon carried him off. 
He married, Oct. 10, 1782, Hannah Chaplain of Mansfield, (now 
Chaplain), who with several children survived him. 

Mr. Avery is said to have been tall, portly and commanding in 
appearance, with a prominent Roman countenance. In his disposition 
he was generous and warm hearted, being emphatically a gentleman of 
the old school. He preached extemporaneously, using at most but short 
notes. His language was copious and diffuse, his voice clear and sono- 
rous, and his articulation so distinct that it was a common saying in the 
army that every soldier in the brigade could hear all that he said. 

Ayer, Rev. Oliver, son of Joseph, Jr., and Mary (Bailey) Ayer, was 
born at West Farms, Nov. 14, 1765. He fitted for college under the 
instruction of Rev. Samuel Nott, his pastor, and graduated at Dart- 
mouth in 1788. Having completed his theological course also with 
Rev. Samuel Nott, he was ordained at West Stockbridge, Mass., May 
29, 1793. Here he remained, greatly beloved by his people till June 
14, 1807, when he was dismissed. He was subsequently settled at Au- 
gusta, Richland and Sandy Creek, all in the State of New York, and 
was everywhere held in esteem for his ministerial fidelity. He died at 
Richland in July, 1832, at the ripe age of 67 years. While at West 
Stockbridge he married Phebe, a daughter of Elijah Brown of that 
place, who survived him. 

Backus, Rev. Azel, D. D., of the sixth generation from William 
Backus, Sen., the Proprietor, was born at West Farms, October 13, 
1765. He was the son of Jabez, Jr., and Deborah (Fanning) Backus, 
both of whom are said to have been persons of great excellence of 
character. His father dying when he was only five years of age, be- 
bueathed to him a farm, which he says, " I wisely exchanged for an 
education in college." He graduated at Yale in the class of 1787. 



^7 

While in college he had sceptical tendencies ; but his uncle. Rev. 
Charles Backus, D. D., by his faithful efforts won him from infidelity 
and reared him up for the ministry. He was ordained April 6th, 
1791, as the immediate successor of Dr. Bellamy, at Bethlehem, where 
he not only labored faithfully as a pastor, but also instituted and con- 
ducted a school of considerable celebrity, at which a large number of 
young men were prepared for admission to college. 

In Sept., 1812, Dr. Backus was elected first President of Hamilton 
College. His mature experience in the instruction and management of 
young men was doubtless greatly auxiliary to his success in this some- 
what similar, though more extensive field of labor. 

He was a man of an original cast of thought, distinguished by sus- 
ceptibility and ardor of feeling ; was possessed, withal, of brilliant talents 
and rose rapidly in popular favor, for while comparatively a young man 
he was selected by the senior Gov. Oliver Wolcott to preach the 
annual election sermon before the Legisluture of Conn. This appoint- 
ment was fulfilled with very marked ability in 1798. In June, 1808, he 
was chosen moderator of the General Association of Conn., and two 
years later he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from 
the college in New Jersey. 

Duyckinck remarks, that " His biography remains to be written in a 
manner worthy of the part which he sustained in caring for the first 
wants of a college," etc., and adds, that "A careful memoir written 
somewhat after the manner of Xenophon's Memorabilia, or Boswell's 
Johnson, would be welcomed by many readers." 

Dr. Backus died Dec. 9, 1817, of typhus fever, which then prevailed 
in the college and vicinity. He married, in 1791, Melicent Demming, 
of Wethersfield, who with five children survived him. His daughter, 
Mary Ann, became the first wife of Hon. Gerret Smith, of Peterboro. 

For a list of his publications reference may be had to Dr. Sprague's 
Annals of the Pulpit, Vol, II, page 283. 

Backus, Rev. Charles, D. D., of the fifth generation from William 
Backus, Sen., the Proprietor, was born at West Farms, Nov. 4, 1749. 
He was the third son of Jabez, Sen., and Eunice (Kingsbury) Backus, 
both of whom he lost in childhood, but through the assistance of friends 
he was enabled to obtain a thorough classical education, and graduated 
at Yale in 1769. While in college he had a high reputation both for 
scholarship and deportment. Pres't Dwight, his classmate, said of him, 
"I have not known a wiser man." His theological education was 
under the direction of Levi Hart, D. D., of Preston. In 1775 he was 



68 

ordained to the pastoral charge of the congregational church in Somers, 
Conn., in which place he remained till his death, Dec. 30, 1803. The 
sermon at his ordination was preached by Rev. John Ellis, of West Farms. 

His high reputation as a theologian procured for him mvitations from 
Yale and Dartmouth Colleges to occupy the chair of Theology in each 
of these institutions. These in each instance he modestly declined. 
But his eminence as an instructor drew around him many who were 
designed for the ministry. Nearly fifty young men were at different 
times members of his theological school. Among them were Dr. 
Woods, of Andover, Dr. Hyde, of Lee, Dr. Cooley of Granville, 
Pres't Moore, of Amherst College and many others of nearly equal dis- 
tinction. In 1801 he received the honorary degree of D. D., from 
Williams College. Shortly after his settlement at Somers he was married 
to Bethia, daughter of Jacob Hill, of Cambridge, Mass. Jabez, their 
only child, died suddenly while a member of Yale College, March 16, 
1794, in his seventeenth year. 

The publications of Dr. Backus were numerous. From 1785 to 
1798, he published twelve distinct sermons, besides five discourses on 
the divine authority of the scriptures, in 1797. For a more particular 
description reference may be had to Dr. Sprague's Annals, Vol. II, p. 62. 

Backus, Rev. 'J^oscph IV., is now pastor of the Congregational 
Church at Thomaston, Conn. 

Chester, Rev. Albert T., D. Z^., is a Presbyterian clergyman ; resides 
in Buffalo, N. Y., and is Principal of a flourishing female academy 
located in that city. 

Converse, Rev. George S., is an Episcopal clergyman and at the 
present time is Rector of St. James' church, at Roxbury, Mass. 

Ellis, Rev. J^onathan, sixth son of Rev. John Ellis, was born at 
West Farms, April 1 1, 1762. He fitted for college under the instruc- 
tion of his father and graduated at Yale in the class of 1786. Devoting 
the requisite period to a theological course of reading, he was ordained 
pastor of the congregational church at Topsham, Maine, in 1789. 
This connection continued till 1810, when he was dismissed, and on 
the following year deposed from the ministry on account of charges 
against his moral character. He was actively interested in the estab- 
lishment of Bowdoin College and a candidate for the Professorship of 
Languages, and would probably have succeeded in securing the situation 
except for the " Harvard " influence which was brought to bear upon 




,::^ 






69 

the appointment. He was a good linguist and quite a number of" 
scholars were prepared for admission to college under his instruction. 
It is said that he was also something of a poet. He published a eulogy 
in verse on Washington, delivered Feb. 22, 1800. 

After residing a few years at Bath, he left his eastern home unaccom- 
panied by any member of his family, and never returned. Previous to 
1827, letters were occasionally received from him, but later his family 
had no trace of his whereabouts. For a time he was engaged in teaching 
in Pennsylvania, but when last heard from was in Delaware. He 
married, in 1790, Mary Fulton, of Topsham, by whom he had ten 
children. She lived to an advanced age. One son, Asher Ellis, re- 
ceived the degree of M. D., at Bowdoin College in 1832, and settled 
at Brunswick, Maine. Another son. Rev. Robert Fulton Ellis, became 
a Baptist clergyman. 

Ellis, Rev. Stephen, son of Stephen and Rebecca (Huntington) 
Ellis, was born at Franklin, April 16, 1801. At an early age his parents 
removed to Pennsylvania. Shortly afterwards he left his home and 
entered the school of a maternal cousin. Rev. John C. Rudd, D. D., 
at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where he remained as pupil and assist- 
ant teacher for about ten years. Having thus acquired a tolerably 
thorough preliminary education, he entered upon the study of theology 
under the direction of a Presbyterian clergyman in Elizabethtown, 
where by close application he made rapid progress. In 1830 he was 
licensed by the New London Association at New London, and soon 
thereafter preached his first sermon at Franklin. After preaching 
three years at West Stafford, Conn., where he declined an invitation to 
settle permanently in the ministry, and two or three years in Susque- 
hanna county, Pennsylvania, he was finally ordained at Great Bend, 
Pa., in 1836. After several years of faithful service at this place, he 
removed to Delaware county. New York, first to the town of Meredith, 
and finally to the village of Davenport, where he died Aug. 13, 1848, 
of dysentery. He was everywhere esteemed as a faithful pastor. He 
also labored actively and heartily to advance the benevolent enterprises 
of the age, even to the end of life. In 1831, he married Lydia A. 
Mott, a resident of his native place, who with one daughter survives 
him. 

Fillmore, Rev. Amaziah, eldest son of Comfort and Zerviah (Bos- 
worth) Fillmore, and grandson of the famous Capt. John Fillmore, was 
Dorn at West Farms, Sept, 26, 1765, and early became a local preacher 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was licensed as an exhorter, 

5 



March 2, 1799, at Norwich, by Shadrich Bostwick, Presiding Elder, 
ordained Deacon June 6, 1810, by Bishop Asbury, and ordained an 
Elder June 13, 1823, at Providence, by Bishop George. He preached 
many years before he was ordained Deacon or Elder, but his labors 
were then and afterwards confined to his native town and the immediate 
vicinity. He died April 5, 1847. 

Fillmore, Rev. Coi?ifort Day, youngest brother of the above, was 
born at Franklin, July 8, 1792, and also became a local Methodist 
preacher. He took ministerial license about 1828, and Deacon's orders 
in 1834, from Bishop Hedding. He also received from the same 
prelate. Elder's orders in 1845. His field of labor was in his native 
town and vicinity. His services were particularly sought for upon 
funeral occasions. In 1848 he removed to the adjoining town of Lis- 
bon, and again in 1859, to Norwich, where he died July 9, 1867. 

Fillmore, Rev. Daniel, eldest son of Rev. Amaziah Fillmore, was 
born at Franklin, Dec. 29, 1787. Having well improved such advan- 
tages as the common district schools of Connecticut then afforded for 
an education, he joined the Methodist Itinerancy in June, 1811, and 
was appointed to the Falmouth circuit in Maine. He early rose to an 
honorable position among his brethren, and filled many ot the most 
important stations in New England, as at Portland, Me., Portsmouth, 
N. H., Boston, Charlestown, Lynn, Nantucket and New Bedford, 
Mass., and Providence, R. I. To each of these stations he was re-ap- 
pointed and remained two years at each term. He was for many years 
Secretary of the New England Conference, the duties of which office 
he discharged with distinguished ability. He was also an ardent and 
active friend of education in the church, and for several years performed 
the duties of financial agent of the Wesleyan University for the Prov- 
idence Conference. 

As one of the founders of Methodism, he most cheerfully shared in 
the labors, struggles and poverty of its early years, and lived to witness 
its successes and triumphs ; and to but few men in New England is this 
branch of the church more indebted for its present prosperity. In 
I852 he was put upon the superannuated list. It may be said of him, 
that he was one of the first generation of Methodist preachers in New 
England, most of whom have passed away. He died at Providence, 
R. I., Aug. 13, 1858, leaving an example of christian faithfulness and 
ministerial fidelity worthy of imitation. 

Fillmore Rev. Hiel, fourth son of Rev. Amaziah Fillmore, was born 
at Franklin, July 27, 1795, and became a local preacher of the Metho- 



71 

dist Episcopal Church, as did his father before him. In 1823 he was 
authorized to exhort and hold meetings, by Isaac jennison, a circuit 
preacher. In 1832 he was ordained a Deacon at Providence, by Bishop 
Hedding, and in 184.6 was ordained an Elder at Norwich Falls, by 
Bishop Waugh. He preached and performed other ministerial labors 
in his own town and neighborhood as his services were required. He 
died at Norwich, whither he had removed a few years previous, July 
27, 1862. 

Fillmore, Rev. Jesse, is a Methodist clergyman, who now resides at 
Providence, Rhode Island. 

Jfartshorne, Rev. Elijah, Jr., son of Doctor Elijah Hartshorne, was 
born at Franklin in 1790. Under the instruction of his pastor. Rev. 
Samuel Nott, he was prepared for college and graduated at Yale in the 
class of 1815. A few years later he was licensed as a preacher, and 
temporarily supplied many pulpits in the vicinity, but was never or- 
dained. He died at Franklin, Sept. 19, 1840, unmarried. 

Huntington, Rev. Asahel, son of Barnabas and Anne (Wright) 
Huntington, of the sixth generation from Simon Huntington, the emi- 
grant ancestor of the family, was born at West Farms, March 17, 1761. 
He was prepared for college under the teaching of his pastor. Rev. 
Samuel Nott, and entered Dartmouth where he graduated in 1786 with 
the i rst honors of his class. His theological studies were pursued under 
instruction of the Rev. Doctors Backus, of Somers, and Hart, of Gris- 
wold. He was ordained and settled as pastor of the congregational 
church at Topsfield, Mass., Nov. 12, 1789. After a faithful ministry 
of nearly twenty-four years to a devoted people, he died suddenly at 
this plac^, April 22, 1813, of malignant sore throat. He married, June 
2, 1791, Alethea, daughter of Doctor Elisha Lord, of Pomfret, Conn. 
The late Doctor Elisha Huntington, of Lowell, and the Hon. Asahel 
Huntington, of Salem, were his sons. 

Huntington, Rev. David, so.-i of Ezra and Elizabeth (Huntington) 
Huntington, of the sixth generation from Simon Huntington, the im- 
migrant ancestor of the family, was born at Franklin, April 24, 1788. 
He was prepared for college under the instruction of Rev. Samuel Nott, 
and entered Union at Schenectady, where he graduated in 1809. He 
studied theology, and was ordained Deacon of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church, by Bishop Hobart, in Trinity church, New York City in 1812; 
and was ordained Priest in St. Paul's church, at Charlton, N. Y., three 



72 

years later. He was a devoted Episcopalian, though it is said that he 
did not class himself either with the High Church or Low Church 
party, maintaining that those who went beyond, or fell below the 
accepted standards of the church, were equally in error. For several 
of his last years he resided at Harpersville, N. Y., without parochial 
charge. He died at this place, April 9, 1855. 

Hyde, Rev. Alvart, D. D., son of Joseph Hyde by his first wife, 
Abigail Abell, being of the sixth generation from William Hyde, the 
Proprietor, was born at West Farms, Feb. 2, 1768. He was prepared 
for college by his pastor. Rev. Samuel Nott, and graduated at Dart- 
mouth in the class of 1788. In the autumn of 1789, he placed him- 
self under the instruction of the Rev. (afterwards Dr.) Charles Backus, 
of Somers, as a theological teacher, and was licensed to preach by the 
Tolland Association of Congregational ministers the year following. 
At the earnest solicitation of the church and society in Lee, Mass., he 
was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry in that place, June 
6, 1792. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. (after- 
wards Dr.) Samuel Nott. 

It is said that Dr. Hyde's manner in the pulpit was solemn, grave 
and earnest, but never impassioned. He spoke as one who felt that 
" he must give account," and whose only aim was to win souls to Christ 
by a clear and simple presentation of gospel truth. He had a high 
reputation as a theological teacher, and assisted, at different times, be- 
tween thirty and forty young men in their preparation for the ministry. 
He was also an active friend and patron of Williams College, and was 
in some way officially connected with that institution for more than 
thirty years. He died at his post, at Lee, Dec. 4, 1833, after an 
eminently successful ministry of more than forty-one years' continuance. 
An interesting memoir of him was published in 1835. In April, 1703, 
he was married to Lucy, daughter of Benjamin Fessenden of Sandwich, 
Mass. Of their eleven children only ^ix survived the father. 

Of his publications a list may be found in Dr. Sprague's Annals, 
Vol. II, page 303. 

Hyde, Rev. Charles, is a Congregational clergyman who has retired 
from the pastoral office and now resides at Ellington, Conn. 

Hyde, Rev. Eli, third son of Eli and Rhoda (Lathrop) Hyde, and 
great-grandson of John Hyde of the third generation, was born at 
West Farms, Jan. 20th, 1778. He was prepared for college by his 
pastor. Rev. Samuel Nott, and graduated at Yale in the class of 1803. 



73 

After a thorough theological course of reading under the instruction of 
Rev. Doctors Calvin Chapin, of Wethersfield, and Ciprian Strong, of 
Chatham, he was ordained as a Presbyterian clergyman, at Oxford, N, 
Y., in the spring of 1808. After a ministry of about four years at this 
place, he was dismissed, and afterwards, in the summer of 1812, he de- 
voted several months to missionary labor in northern New York, then 
but sparsely settled. The next year he was installed in the ministry at 
Amenia in the same State, and subsequently at Salem, Conn., and Salis- 
bury, Vt. As a religious teacher, he was eminently sound and scrip- 
tural in his theological views, and as a pastor, faithful and devoted to 
his consecrated work. He died at Franklin, Oct. 3, 1856. In Nov. 
1807, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Rev. Samuel Nott, who still 
survives him. 

Hyde, Rev. John, eldest son of Vaniah and Rebecca (Barker) 
Hyde, and great-grandson of Thomas Hyde of the third generation 
from William, the Proprietor, was born at West Farms, July 7, 1776. 
Having been prepared for college by his pastor. Rev. Samuel Nc^t, he 
entered Yale, where he graduated in the class of 1803. After devoting 
the usual period to a theological course under Rev. Asahel Hooker, 
then of Goshen, but afterwards of Norwich, Conn., he was ordained 
pastor of the Congregational church at Hamden, Conn., in April, 
1806, which charge he resigned after a ministry of about five years. 
He was installed in 1812 pastor of the church in Preston, Conn., where 
he remained fifteen years. He was then dismissed, and in the spring 
of 1828 was again installed at North Wilbraham, Mass., where he re- 
mained about five years. After this he preached in various places, but 
did not again become a settled pastor. Mr. Hyde died at Franklin, 
much respected and beloved, Aug. 14, 1848, aged 72 years. He mar- 
ried, April 22, 1806, Susan, daughter of Rev. Samuel Nott. She 
died at West Killingly in 1842. 

Hyde, Rev. Lavius, third son of Joseph Hyde by his second wife, 
Julitta Abell, and great-grandson of Thomas of the third generation, 
being the sixth from William Hyde, the Proprietor, was born at Frank- 
lin, Jan. 29, 1789, He graduated at Williams College in 1813, studied 
theology at Andover, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
church at Salisbury, Conn., in 1818. In 1824 he was installed over 
the church in Bolton, Conn., and was afterwards pastor at Ellington, 
Conn., Wayland and Becket, Mass., and was finally re-settled at Bolton. 
When 70 years of age, in accordance with a previously expressed pur- 
pose, he retired from the pastoral office and became a resident at Vernon. 
Mr. Hyde was a man of extensive research and of rare attainments. 



74 

He was the author of an interesting memoir of his half-brother, Rev. 
Alvan Hyde, D. D., published in 1835, and was the friend and literary 
executor of Carlos Wilcox, and published his biography, with selections 
from his writings. He was possessed of much warmth of religious feeling, 
and was everywhere regarded as a faithful and devoted pastor. He died 
at Vernon, April 3, 1865. He was married in 1818, to Alice Bradley, of 
Stockbridge, Mass., who, with one son and three daughters, survives him. 

Ladd, Rev. Beaufort, is a retired Congregational clergyman who, 
at the present time, resides at Victory, Cayuga county, N. Y. 

Moselcy, Rev. Peabody, son of Increase and Mary Moseley, born at 
West Farms, Aug. 19, 1724, became a Baptist clergyman and resided 
and preached successively at Norwich, Mansfield, and Granby, Conn. 
He married Mary, eldest daughter of Capt. Jacob Hyde, Aug. 2, 1748. 
About the year 1780, he and his wife and a part of his children, joined 
the society of Shakers at New Lebanon, N. Y., where he died in Sept., 
1791> Mrs. Moseley survived him about 25 years, and finally died 
with the Shakers at New Lebanon. 

Munsell, Rev. Jabez, youngest son of Henry and Sarah (Hyde) 
Munsell, was born at West Farms, about 1769. He was prepared for 
college under Rev. Samuel Nott, and graduated at Dartmouth in the 
class of 1794; took a second degree at Yale in 1799; was settled as a 
Congregational minister at Gill, Mass., in 1802 ; resigned his charge in 
1805, and removed to Richmond, Va., where he died in J 832. 

Nott, Rev. Eliphalet, D. D., son of Stephen and Deborah (Selden) 
Nott, being of the fifth generation from John Nott, Sen., of Wethers- 
field, was born at Ashford, Conn., June 25, 1773, but Franklin early 
became his adopted home. It is said that he was favored with an ex- 
cellent mother ; and it is, doubtless, due to the fostering care of this 
tireless woman, that the foundations for his future eminence were early 
and securely laid. His subsequent preliminary education was acquired 
mainly under the instruction of his brother. Rev. Samuel Nott, D. D. 
Although he received the degree of Master of Arts from Brown Uni- 
versity in 1795, he had not the benefit of a regular collegiate course of 
instruction ; but the want of this, however, was compensated by a 
natural facility in acquiring knowledge. Having studied theology under 
the Rev. Joel Benedict, D. D., of Plainfield, Conn., he was licensed 
and sent out as a Missionary to Central New York. Not long after- 
wards, he established himself as a clergyman and principal of an acad- 
emy at Cherry Valley, then a frontier settlement in that state. In 



75 

1798 he become pastor of the Presbyterian church, in Albany, where 
he remained for the next six years, and at this period he had few equals 
in pulpit eloquence in the country. In 1804 he delivered his very 
eloquent discourse upon the death of Hamilton which, doubtless, secured 
his appointment in that year, as fourth President of Union College. 
He continued to manage the affairs of this Institution with extraordi- 
nary ability for a period of m.ore than sixty years, and under his guid- 
ance such men as Francis Wayland, William H, Seward and Judge 
Kent, were raised up to shed luster upon the present age. 

President Nott, in his intercourse with his pupils, had the rare faculty 
of inspiring in them a sense of self-respect, and o calling forth their 
earnest, manly qualities of head and heart. Of an original cast of mind, 
developed by elaborate culture, he had large inventive powers, which ! e 
did not fail to devote to useful purposes, for he took out, at different 
times, more than thirty patents for the generation and application of 
heat, including that for the celebrated stove bearing his name. 

He died at Schenectady, Jan. 29, 1866, aged 92 years. 

His published works are, Addresses to Young Men, Temperance Ad 
dresses, and a volume of Sermons. 

Nott, Rev. y^o/in IV., is an Episcopal clergyman ; resides at Frost- 
burgh, Md., and is without parochial charge. He is at present employed 
in teaching. 

JVott, Rev. Samuel, Jr., son of Rev. Samuel Nott, D. D., and 
Lucretia (Taylor) Nott, was born in Franklin, Sept. 11, 1788. He 
was prepared for college by his father, and entered Union, where he 
graduated in 1808. He then entered the theological seminary at 
Andover, where he remained about one year. Having obtained a min- 
isterial license, he preached in various pulpits during the next two or 
three years, after which he was ordained in the Tabernacle church, at 
Salem, Mass., Feb. 6, 1812, with Newell, Judson, Hall and Rice, and 
the same month sailed for Calcutta to enter the foreign field as a mis- 
sionary to the heathen, being one of the little band of pioneers sent 
forth by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 
then but recently organized. He returned from India to this country 
in Aug., 1816. Shortly afterwards he took charge of a school composed 
of young ladies, in the city of New York, which he continued to con- 
duct till the spring of 1823, when he removed to Galway, in the same 
state, and became the pastor of the Presbyterian church in that place. 
This relation v/as dissolved in 1829, when he removed to Wareham, 
Mass., and became the pastor of the Congregational church in that 



76 

town. He was dismissed from this charge in 1846, but continued to 
reside in the place for the next twenty years, employed much of the 
time in teaching. The last year of his life was passed at the residence 
of his son, in Hartford, Conn., where he died June 1, 1869. He mar- 
ried, Feb. 8, 1812, Roxanna Peck, also of Franklin, who with their 
seven children survives him. 

His published works, most of which appeared at an early date, are 
"Sermons for Children," 3 vols. ; " Sermons from the Fowls of the Air 
and Lilies of the Field "; " Sermons on Public Worship "; " Appeal 
to the Temperate "; " Temperance and Religion "; " Freedom of the 
Mind "; " The Telescope "; " A Sermon on the Idolatry of the 
Hindoos "; " A Discourse on the Death of President Harrison "; etc. 

JVott, Rev. Stephen T., youngest son of Rev. Samuel Nott, D. D., 
was born at Franklin, June 20, 1802. He fitted for college under the 
instruction of his father, and graduated at Union in 1822. He also 
acquired a competent knowledge of theology under the paternal roof; 
obtained a ministerial license from the New London Association of 
Congregational ministers, and preached in a number of pulpits in this 
and the adjoining States, but was never ordained. He died at the 
family mansion in Franklin, July 23, 1828, unmarried. 

Prc7itice, Rev. Erastus L., is a Methodist clergyman ; belongs to 
the New York Conference, and resides at Poughkeepsie in that State. 

Rudd, Rev. y^ohfi Churchill, D. D., son of Jonathan and Mary 
(Huntington) Rudd, was born at West Farms, May 24, 1779. He 
was prepared for Yale College by Rev. Samuel Nott, but from adverse 
circumstances he was prevented from taking a collegiate course. He 
was educated a congregationalist, but it is said that he felt some difficulty, 
even at an early period, respecting the distinctive features of Calvinism, 
and the result of his reading and reflection was only to establish him 
in the Episcopal system ; and he was accordingly admitted to Deacon's 
Orders, by Bishop Moore in 1805, and to Priests' Orders by the same 
venerable prelate the year following. After a few months of missionary 
labor on Long Island, at the suggestion of Bishop Moore, he took charge 
of St. John's Parish, Elizabethtown, N. J., and shortly afterwards was 
instituted its rector. While at this place, he edited the " Churchman's 
Magazine," a religious periodical. In 1826 he resigned his charge in 
consequence of failing health and voice, and removed to Auburn, N. Y., 
to take charge of an academy. The year following he commenced 
another religious periodical, " The Gospel Messenger," which he con- 



77 

tinued to conduct to the end of his life. In i8z2 he received the 
honorary degree of D. D., from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. 
Rudd died at Utica, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1848. He married, in 1803, 
Phebe Eliza, daughter of Edward Bennet, of Shrewsbury, N. J., but 
had no children. 

Smith, Rev. y^os/ma, second son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Harts- 
horne) Smith, was born at Franklin, March ), 1809. After a thorough 
preparation for college, he graduated at Yale in the class of 1833. He 
was subsequently employed for some time in teaching, and then entered 
the theological seminary at Alexandria, Va., to qualify himself for the 
ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church. After graduating at the 
seminary, he was ordained Deacon by the Rt. Rev. Richard Channing 
Moore, Jan. 10, 1840, and shortly after went as a missionary of the 
Protestant Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, to Cape Palmas, 
Western Africa. He returned to the United States in 1844, and re- 
sided successively at Batavia, Rochester and Buffalo, N. Y., and finally 
removed to Newark, N. J., in 1853. He was ordained Priest by Bishop 
Doane, April 28, 1863, and took charge of a colored congregation in 
Newark, where he died Aug. 19, 1865, unmarried. 

Stanton, Rev. Robert P., is now pastor of the Congregational church 
at Greenville, Conn. 

Willes, Rev. Daniel, E., is an Episcopal clergyman, and resides at 
Hobart, Albany county, N. Y. 



Note G. 

PHYSICIANS OF WEST FARMS, NOW FRANKLIN. 

The medical profession in ancient Norwich was more than respectable ; 
was distinguished. As practitioners, several of its members had few 
superiors in the country, and West Farms had her full proportion of 
men of ability. The first that we shall notice as coming under our 
observation, was 

Dr. "yohn Olmstead, or Holmstead, who came to Norwich from 
Saybrook with the colony of settlers in 1660, and was classed as one of 
the Original Proprietors. Though originally located at the Town Plot, 
he was, for a considerable time, the sole physician of the settlement at 
West Farms. He was something of a surgeon, and is said to have had 
considerable skill in the treatment of wounds, particularly those caused 



78 

by the bite of the rattlesnake. He was fond of frontier life and enjoyed 
in a high degree the sports of the chase. He died in 1686. 

Dr. Solomon Tracy was the next physician in the order of time. 
He was the fifth son of Lieut. Thomas, and came to Norwich in 1660 with 
his father, at the age of nine years. When of suitable age he v/as in- 
structed in the healing art by Dr. Olmstead, and located in business at 
the Town Plot, As his elder brother, John, had settled at West Farms, 
he was drawn thither, and for a considerable time was the sole physician 
in this section. He died July 9, 1732. 

Dr. Daind Hartshonie was the earliest physician who actually settled 
at Norwich West Farms. Dr. Hartshorne was born in Reading, Massa- 
chusetts, 1656. He first located in business in his native town, where 
he continued till about the year 1700, when he removed to this place. 
In his new field of labor he was highly esteemed as a physician, and was 
a leading man both in civil and ecclesiastical affairs. He was also one of 
the original deacons of the church, and generally held in trust the funds 
of the society. Dr. Hartshorne died November 3d, 1738. 

Dr. Robert Bell, from Ipswich, father-in-law of Capt. John Fillmore, 
was a cotemporary of Dr. Hartshorne, and was located near the present 
village of Baltic. He died Aug. 23, 1727. 

Dr. ^ohn Sabin was born in Pomfret, Windham county, Connecti- 
cut, 1696. Removing early to Portapaug, he acquired an extensive 
practice. Upon his tombstone it is stated that he was captain of one 
of the Norwich foot companies. The fact that he was several times 
deputed as agent to transact important business with the legislature, 
shows that he was held in estimation. He married for second wife, 
Nov. 3d, 1730, Hannah Starr, of Dedham ; died March 2d, 1742. 

Dr. Sabin was the ancestor of Hon. LaFayette S. Foster, U. S. Sen- 
ator from Connecticut and Vice President of the Senate. 

Dr. Thomas Worden should certainly be noticed as among the early 
physicians at West Farms. He was a son of Samuel Worden, read 
medicine with Dr. Hartshorne, and resided upon the hillside a short dis- 
tance south-west from the village of Baltic. Although his advantages 
were slender and his location obscure, and although his death occurred 
more than a century ago, (1759,) yet his name has been handed down 
to our own time in connection with a prescription which he originally 
used in his practice. Dec. 17, 1728, the town voted to Dr. Thomas 
Worden " for travel and Medisons applied to Ebenezer Hunter's child, 
3-" 



79 

As indicating the public solicitude early manifested for the unfortu- 
nate poor, we add a few items from the records. — 

"Jan. 4, 1726—7, voted to allow Dr. David Hartshorne, for services 
to Gaylor, £0. 7s. od." 

"To Thomas Blythe, for tending Gaylor, £2. 2s. od." 

" To 13 watchers with Gaylor, 2s. each per night, £2. 2S. od." 

December 19, 1727, "To Thomas Blythe, for digging Gaylor's 
grave, £0. 5s. od." 

July 5, 1727, " The inhabitants do now by their vote, agree to allow 
to each man that watches with Micah Rood, two shillings per night. 
Also to those who have attended said Rood by the day, three shillings 
per day." 

"Dec. 17, 1728, to Jacob Hyde, for digging Micah Rood's grave, 
£0. 4s. od." 

Dr. Thcophilus Rogers was born at Lynn, Massachusetts, October 
4th, 1699, the sixth in descent from John Rogers, the proto-martyr, 
who was burned at Smithfield, February 4th, 1555. Dr. Rogers studied 
his profession, and practiced for a while, in Boston. Afterwards he 
removed to Norwich West Farms, where he entered upon a wide sphere 
of usefulness. Dr. Roger's name has come down to us in connection 
with striking eccentricities. While he possessed firmness and good 
judgment as a physician, his natural timidity was excessive. It is said 
that he built his house, which is still standing, [the residence of the late 
Jason W. Kingsley] very low between joints in order to avoid danger 
from high winds, and covered the windows with wooden shutters, to 
keep out the glare of lightning. Whenever called abroad in the night, 
he preferred to have some one accompany him. He died Sept. 29, 
1753. His wife died on the 17th of November, of the same year, and 
both sleep in one grave. 

Dr. Ezekiel Rogers, eldest son of the above, was born October 2, 
1723. Talented and amiable, he entered upon his professional career 
with bright prospects. But the hopes of many friends were doomed to 
disappointment, for in the flower of youth he died, Nov. 11, 1745. 

Dr. John Barker, whose residence was located in the eastern part 
of the West Farms Society, was the eldest son of John and Hannah 
(Brewster) Barker, and was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, in 1729. 
The ordinary school advantages of that day he carefully improved. As 
a medical student in the office of Dr. Joseph Perkins, his close applica- 
tion, keen insight into the mysteries of disease, and particularly his 



8o 

quick and accurate interpretation of equivocal symptoms, gave certain 
promise of future success. Commencing business in 1750, he labored 
in the same field for more than forty years, till stricken down by sudden 
death. As a physician, Dr. Barker enjoyed an enviable popularity, both 
with the public and the profession. He was extensively employed in 
consultation throughout eastern Connecticut, and great deference was 
yielded to his opinions. 

He was one of the original memorialists who petitioned the legisla- 
ture for a medical society. Not discouraged by that attempt, he and 
his compeers persevered till, ten or twelve years later, their efforts 
resulted in the organization of a voluntary association, with Dr. Barker 
for its first President. To this position he was annually re-elected so 
long as he lived. 

Many anecdotes of Dr. Barker are still preserved. For these we 
have no room. But even without collateral evidence, these would show 
that he was a man of sparkling wit, quick perceptions, sound common 
sense, and not least, generous heart. It was to these strong and noble 
traits of character that he owed his success, for he was not graced with 
elegance of person or polish of manner, nor did his pointed repartees 
derive their force from any fastidious selection of words. His careless 
and slovenly habits led a cotemporary to remark, — 

" Barker, a diamond, was both coarse and rough, 
But yet a diamond was, of sterling worth." 

He died June 13, 1791, of cholera morbus. On the 19th of September 
following. Dr. Philemon Tracy, by appointment, delivered a eulogy on 
his life and character, before the New London Co. Medical Society. 

Dr. Ohadiah Kingsbury , son of Ephraim Kingsbury, was born at 
West Farms, 1735. He studied with Dr. Barker, and located in his 
native parish. Though dying in 1776, at an early age, he accumulated, 
by his industry, a handsome estate. 

Dr. Nathaniel Hyde was born at West Farms, 1 746, and was the 
fourth son of Abner Hyde. He studied with Dr. Barker, who had mar- 
ried his sister, and located in West Farms near the residence of the late 
Tommy Hyde. He was a judicious practitioner, though his remedies 
were chiefly of a domestic character. His field of labor was limited, 
and he had abundant leisure, which was devoted to reading and medita- 
tion. The English classics were his favorite field, and he could recite 
the whole of Paradise Lost from memory. He is said to have done most 
of his business on foot. Dr. Hyde never married; died 1832. 



Dr. Benjamin Ellis, son of Rev. John Ellis, was born at West 
Farms, 1752. He studied with Dr. Joshua Downer of Preston, and 
settling at West Farms, acquired an extensive practice, particularly in 
the department of obstetrics. Dr. Ellis died in 1825. 

Dr. Elijah Harishorjie vj2is born at West Farms, 1754. He studied 
with Dr. Phillip Turner, and located in the southern part of his native 
society. Dr. Hartshorne was a careful and judicious practitioner. His 
field was a circumscribed one, and he did his business on foot. His 
death occurred in 1839. 

These three cotemporaries were succeeded by Dr. Reuben Burgess, 
who died in 1833. 

The Writer located in Franklin, in 1829, and has been the sole 
practitioner of the place since 1833. 

Thus much for the resident physicians of Franklin. We subjoin 
brief notices of those natives of Franklin who have located as physicians 
in other places : — 

Dr. Christopher Hunti/igtonwzi the eldest son of Christopher, of West 
Farms, and grandson of Christopher, the first male child born in Norwich. 
Dr. Huntington located in Bozrah, and appears to have been the sole phy- 
sician of New Concord, during its early history; died in 1800. 

He married, September 29, 1748, Sarah Bingham, and had six chil- 
dren, of whom the youngest, Christopher, became a physician. 

Dr. Theophilus Rogers, Jr., was the son of Dr. Theophilus Rogers, 
of West Farms, with whom he studied his professson. He located at 
Bean Hill. The labors of an extensive practice, he performed, accord- 
ing to the usual custom, on horseback. In the revolution, Dr. Rogers 
was a staunch whig, a member of the committee of safety, and very 
active in the cause of liberty. 

He married, March 25, 1754, Penelope Jarvis, of Roxbury, and had 
one son and three daughters. He died, September 29, 1801, aged 70. 
He was noted for rigid adherence to etiquette and nicety in matters of 
dress and appearance. Habitual courtesy, graceful manners, and skill in 
the winsome play of conversation, threw a charm around his presence 
which was felt alike by young and old. 

The name and family have been distinguished in both the medical 
and clerical professions, on each side of the Atlantic. 

Dr. Elisha Tracy, son of Captain Joseph Tracy, was born at West 
Farms, in 1712, and graduated at Yale College in 1738, It was the 



82 

wish of his friends that he should enter the ministry, but yielding to his 
own predelictions, he commenced the study of medicine under the di- 
rection of Dr. Theophilus Rogers, Sen., and settled in business in Nor- 
wich. He possessed thorough classical scholarship, and was well versed 
in medical liierature. 

In 1775, Dr. Tracy was appointed one of the members of a commit- 
tee to examine all candidates applying for situations in the army, either 
as surgeons or assistant surgeons. 

For his earnest advocacy of inoculation for small pox, he encountered 
a storm of prejudice and persecution. By two grand jurors of the 
county he was presented "for communicating the small pox, by inocu- 
lation, to Elijah Lathrop and Benjamin Ward, both of Norwich, afore- 
said, and sundry other persons, against the peace, and contrary to the 
laws of this state." Pleading guilty to the charge, he was held in a 
recognizance of sixty pounds, to appear and answer before the county 
court. He was fortunate, however, in living to see his own views very 
generally adopted by the community. 

Dr. Tracy was the author of the inscription in memory of Samuel 
Uncas,* that brought to light the obscure Indian word, " Wauregan," 
which has since acquired great local popularity. 

After an active life of forty-five years, he died, in 1783, widely be- 
loved and lamented. 

Dr. Samuel H. Barker, son of Dr. John Barker, born at West 
Farms, in 1753, studied medicine with his father, and located in busi- 
ness at Lebanon Crank, now Columbia, where he died, June 11, 1794, 
much lamented. 

In an obituary notice by one of his pupils, we find the following : — 

" If worth and merit from death's jaws could save, 
Barker, our friend, had always shunned the grave." 

Dr. Phineas Hyde, son of Phineas Hyde and maternal grandson of 
Dr. Theophilus Rogers, was born at West Farms, 1749. He practiced 
successively at Poquetanock and ystic. During the Revolution he was 
a surgeon in the service both in the army and navy. He died in 1820. 



The epitaph is as follows : — 

" For beauty, wit, for sterling sense, 
For temper mild, for eloquence. 
For courage bold, for things wauregan. 
He was the glory of Moheagan — 
Whose death has caused great lamentation 
Both in ye English and ye Indian nation." 



83 

Dr. Luther Waterman was born at West Farms about 1750. He 
married Jerusha, daugher of his preceptor. Dr. Barker. He was attached 
as surgeon to the forces under Colonel Knowlton, during the campaign 
of 1776. After the war he removed to the west. 

Dr. Gurdon Huntington, son of Dea. Barnabas, was born at West 
Farms, in 1768. His preliminary studies were under the direction of 
his pastor. Rev. Samuel Nott, and in medicine he was the pupil of Dr. 
Lord. He located in business at Unadilla, N. Y., where he died, 
July 13, 1847. 

Dr. Ashcr Huntington, son of Ezra, was born at West Farms, Feb. 
25, 1770. He studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Philemon 
Tracy, and commenced pract': e i 1 Preston, Conn., but not very long 
afterwards removed to Chenango, N. Y., where he died, in 1833. 

Dr. Abel Huntington was born at West Farms, 1777. He located 
at East Hampton, Long Island, was a member of the New York 
senate, and from 1833 to 1837 represented his district in congress, be- 
sides filling other offices from time to time, and always worthily. Died, 
1858. 



Note H. 

Biographical sketches of individuals not included in 
the clerical or medical professions. 

Foster, LaFayette S., LL.D., was born at Franklin, Nov. 22d, 
1806, being a direct descendant of the famous Capt. Miles Standish, 
and also a lineal descendant of Doctor John Sabin, an early phy- 
sician at West Farms. He graduated at Brown University in 1828; 
became a lawyer by profession, and located in business in Norwich, where 
he now resides. He was a mem' er of the General Assembly of Connec- 
ticut for six sessions, between 1839 and 1854, during three of which he 
was Speaker of the House ; was Mayor of the city of Norwich several 
years, and was chosen a senator in congress for a term of six y .ars fro i 
March 4, 1855. Having been re-elected to that office, he remained in 
the senate for a period ot twelve years, during the last two of which 
he was President of that body, and acting Vice President of the United 
States, and in the event of a vacancy would have become President by 
virtue of his office. He has recently been elected to the Professorship 
of Law, in Yale College. 



84 

Fillmore, Hon. Millard, eldest son of Nathaniel Fillmore, and 
great-grandson of Captain John Fillmore, (of whom a brief notice has 
already been given,) was born, Jan. 7, 1800, not in Franklin, but Sum- 
mer Hill, N. Y. Though not a native of Franklin, the Fillmore fam- 
ily has so long resided in this locality, and been so identified with its 
history, that by common consent we claim this distinguished individual 
as belonging to us. 

At the age of nineteen years he commenced the study of law, and 
four years later was admitted to the bar and entered upon his profes- 
sional career at Aurora, N. Y. His political life commenced with his 
election to the State Assembly in 1829, at about which period he 
removed to Buffalo, where he now resides. In 1832, he was elected to 
Congress, and continued to hold a seat in the national legislature, with 
one or two short interruptions, till 1843, when he declined a re-election. 
In 1847 he was elected to the office of Comptroller of the State, and 
the next year was nominated by the whig party as their candidate for 
Vice Presidenf, and was elected to that office in the autumn following. 
In March, 1849, he assumed the duties of his new position, where he 
remained till the death of President Taylor, in July, 1850, by which 
event he was elevated to the presidential chair. His term of office 
expired in 1853, after which he retired from public life. 

Hyde, Lieut. Governor Ephraiin H., was born at Stafford, Conn. 
He is a lineal descendant of the first Thomas Hyde of West Farms, now 
Franklin, who was of the third generation from William the Proprietor. 
Gov. Hyde's tastes naturallv incline to agriculture, and he has devoted 
the greater part of his life to this pursuit. He has probably been the 
pioneer of scientific agriculture in this state. He was one of the earliest 
breeders of Durham stock, and in 1851 began to breed the celebrated 
Devon stock, and is now the largest breeder in New England, if not in 
the United Stales. When Gov, Hyde began breeding imported stock, the 
sentiment of farmers generally was strongly against it. But, with one or two 
associates, he persevered, and soon fully established the superiority of the 
new animals. It is not too much to say that this demonstration of the ca- 
pabilities of stock culture has revolutionized the ideas, if not yet the 
practice, of the entire farming community of the state. Gov. Hyde also 
early advocated a greater application of scientific knowledge to the culture 
of crops, and has been an earnest worker in this field, where the majority 
of our farmers strangely reject the aid which science stands ready to 
offer. He was one of a few who received a charter for the Conn. State 
Agricultural Society, in 1852, and has been connected with the Society 
in an official capacity since its organization, and since 1859, as president. 




Jlro^i/^' 




85 

He was also active in securing the organization of the State Board of 
Agriculture, in 1866, and has been Vice President of the Board from 
the first. He was also zealous in forming the Tolland Co. Agricultural 
Society, and has been its chief officer for a majority of the years. 

Gov. Hyde is not an active politician, though he has often been called 
to political office. He was several times the representative of Stafford 
in the legislature, and in 1867 was elected Lieutenant Governor of the 
State, to which office he was re-elected the following year. 

Kingsbury , Col. J^acob, was born at Norwich West Farms, June 6, 
1756, and was a great-grandson of Joseph Kingsbury, Sr., one of the 
first deacons of the West Farms church. This ancestor was a resident 
at Haverhill, Mass., at the time of the Indian massacre in 1708, whence, 
in June of the same year, he removed with his wife. Love (Ayer,) to 
West Farms. We may presume that he was drawn hither by the influ- 
ence of the veteran, John Ayer, a kinsman of his wife. On the ma- 
ternal side Col. Kingsbury was descended from Gen. Daniel Dennison, 
Gov. Thomas Dudley and Sir Richard Saltonstall, prominent members 
of the early colonies. 

The ringing call that sounded from Concord over the land, met a 
quick response from him, and he at once hastened to join the army at 
Roxbury, and enlisted in the company commanded by his cousin, Capt. 
Asa Kingsbury. He remained constantly in service, and was, in 1780, 
commissioned ensign, in which capacity he served till the end of the 
war. At its close he was promoted to a Lieutenantcy, and assigned to 
the western army, where he continued uninterruptedly for fourteen years. 
During the last nine years of this period, to use his own words, he was 
"not absent from military duty one hour." This frontier service in 
those days of ambuscades and massacres, when the posts were weak and 
widely separated, but the foe numerous and ever on the alert, was one 
of the greatest toil and danger. Ceaseless vigilance was the only price 
of safety. He here received the well earned promotions of Captain and 
Major. The following General Order bears witnesss to the soldierly 
qualities of Lieut. Kingsbury, and well illustrates the exigencies of the 
early border service. 

Fort Washington, 1,4th January, 1791. 

Extract of General Orders : 

The General is highly pleased with the cool and spirited conduct 
displayed by Lieutenant Kingsbury in repulsing a body of about 300 
savages, who surrounded Dunlap's station on Monday morning last and 



86 

besieged it, endeavoring to set it on fire with their arrows, and keeping 
up a heavy fire against his small party for the space of twenty-five hours. 
• #**** This spirited defence made by Lieut. Kingsbury, 
with so small a force as 35 men total, old and young, sick and well, and 
in such bad works, reflects the greatest credit upon him and his party. 
The General returns his thanks to him, and directs that the Adjutant 
transmit him a copy of these orders by the first conveyance. 

JOS. HARMAR, Brig. General. 

In 1799 he returned to Connecticut upon a furlough, where he spent 
the two following years in the recruiting service, and married his wife. 
Miss Sally P. Ellis. But in 1802, he was again ordered to the frontier, 
and stationed among the Creek Indians, in Georgia. Toward the close 
of the following year he was appointed Lieut. Colonel, and transferred 
to the western army, whence he was shortly transferred to the south- 
western arm.y, where he remained for several years, and in 1 809 became 
Colonel. His services in the south-west covered the years in which 
Aaron Burr figured largely in that section. Burr called several .times at 
the headquarters of Col. Kingsbury, and was evidently anxious to enlist 
his sympathies. But the two never met. Col. Kingsbury regarded 
him with suspicion, and was unwilling to compromise his own honor by 
intercourse with him. 

Very early in the war of 1812. Col. Kingsbury was stationed at 
Detroit, and, as he once stated to the writer, was offered the command 
at that post which subsequently devolved upon Gen. Hull, and which 
he himself could not accept, as he was unable to leave his quarters 
on account of sickness. He was afterwards assigned to the command of 
Fort Adams, in Newport harbor. While in command at this post, he 
was appointed Inspector General of the New England forces, in which 
capacity he served till the close of the war, when he retired to his home 
in Franklin. He died at Franklin, July 1, 1837. 

Colonel Kingsbury was a man of unswerving honor and integrity, 
and followed unflinchingly the path of duty. These qualities were 
strikingly exemplified throughout the nearly fifty years of his military 
life, and won for him universal respect and esteem. In the Senate of 
the United States, Gen. William H. Harrison, mentioning him as the first 
Captain under whom he served, truly remarked, that neither "Rome 
nor Sparta ever produced a better soldier." 

Masoft, Jeremiah, LL.D., was born at Lebanon Conn., April 27, 
1768, but his father and several of his elder sisters were born at West 



87 

Farms, at the old family mansion. He was the second son of Col. 
Jeremiah Mason, and a lineal descendant of Major John Mason. Des- 
tined for an education and for professional life, he entered Yale College, 
where he graduated with high honors in 1788. After devoting several 
years to study in the law office of the Hon. Stephen Rowe Bradley, of 
Vermont, he was admitted to the bar in that state in 1791, and shortly 
afterwards commenced his professional career at Walpole, N. H., but 
was soon inclined by his rapidly growing popularity to seek a broader 
field for practice, and removed to Portsmouth in the same State, where 
he became the personal and, as the event proved, life-long friend of 
Daniel Webster. In 1802 he was appointed Attorney General of that 
State, and from 1813 to 1817 was a leading member of the United 
States Senate, but resigned his seat for the purpose of devoting himself 
more exclusively to his profession, in which he was profoundly learned, 
particularly in the department of common law. 

He removed to Boston in 1832, where he died in 1848. He will be 
remembered by many as the learned and successful advocate of Rev. 
Ephraim K. Avery, when on trial for the murder of Sarah Maria 
Cornell. 

Tracy, Hon. Uriah, son of Eliphalet and great-grandson of John 
Tracy, the Proprietor, was born at West Farms, Feb. 2, 1755. Being 
destined for professional life he entered Yale College, where he gradu- 
ated in 1778 ; afterwards read law in Litchfield; settled in that town, 
and soon rose to eminence in his profession. He often represented his 
town in the State Legislature, and in 1793 was Speaker of the 
House. He was a representative in Congress from 1793 to 1796, and 
from that time onward to 1807 was a leading member of the United 
States Senate, and a part of the time President pro. tem. of that branch 
of Congress. He was also a Major-General of militia, and is said to 
have been an instructive and agreeable companion. He died at the 
national capitol, July 19, 1807, and was the first to be interred in the 
congressional burying ground. 



88 



Note I. 

We append a list of missionaries raised up in Franklin. As the lists 
heretofore published have been more or less inaccurate, we extend the 
present list so as to embrace the whole of the original town of Norwich. 



Year. 
761- 
766- 
771- 

795- 
806- 
812- 
812- 
812- 
819- 
819- 
820- 
825- 
826- 
826- 
827- 
827- 

835- 
835- 
836- 
836- 

839- 
839- 
840- 

844- 



849— 

852- 

852- 

852- 

85s- 

860— 



Name. 
-Rev. Samson Occum, 
■Rev. Samuel Kirtland, 
-Rev. David Avery, 
-Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D. D., 
-Rev. John Churchill Rudd, D D., 
■Rev. Samuel Nott, Jr., 
•Mrs. Nott, (Roxana Peck,) , 
Rev. Eli Hyde, 
■Rev. Miron Winslow, 
■Mrs. Winslow, (Harriet L. Lathrop,) 
Rev. William Potter, 
Rev. William H. Manwaring, 
Rev. Anson Gleason, 
Mrs. Gleason, (B. W. Tracy,) 
Mrs. Gulic, (Fanny H. Thomas,) 
Mrs. Eli Smith, (Sarah L. Huntington,) 
Mrs. Perry, (Harriet L. Lathrop,) 
Rev. James T. Dickinson, 
Rev. William Tracy, 
Mrs. Cherry, (Charlotte H. Lathrop,) 
Mrs. Brewer, (Laura L. Giddings,) 
Mrs. Cherry, (Jane E. Lathrop,) 
Rev. Joshua Smith, 
Miss Lucinda Downer, 
Miss Susan Tracy, 

•Mrs. C. C. Copeland, (Cornelia Ladd,) 
Miss Eunice Starr, 
•Miss Elizabeth Backus, 
■Mrs. H. B. Haskell, (Sarah J. Brewster,) 
Rev. Nathan L. Lord, M. D., 
Rev. William Aitchison, 
Rev. William F. Arms, 



Mission. 
Oneida. 
Oneida. 
Oneida. 

Central New York. 
Long Island. 
Mahratta. 
Mahratta. 

Northern New York. 
Ceylon. 
Ceylon. 
Cherokee. 
Cherokee. 
Choctaw. 
Choctaw. 
Sandwich Islands. 
Syria. 
Ceylon. 
Singapore. 
Madura. 
Madura. 
Oregon. 
Ceylon. 
Africa. 
Choctaw. 
Choctaw. 
Choctaw. 
Choctaw. 
Choctaw. 
Assyrian Mission. 
Ceylon. 
China. 
Bulgaria. 



89 

Note J. 
The Portipaug, or Norwich Eighth Society. 

A history of West Farms, or the second society in Norwich, would 
evidently be incomplete without further allusion to the ecclesiastical 
history of the eighth society, and a brief sketch of that organization 
will now be attempted. We have seen that a bitter sectional contro- 
versy existed in the second society for a period of about twenty years, 
during which time the second church edifice was erected, near the site 
of the first, in the face of fierce and constant opposition ; the factious 
minority adding to their other opposition, threats of separation, and 
frequently petitioning the society and General Assembly to that efTect. 
At length, both parties having tired of agitation, it was voted in society 
meeting, in 1758, "that a number of inhabitants in the north-east part 
of the Society have leave to withdraw and form a separate organization." 
This action of the society was confirmed in 1761, when what was ori- 
ginally the north-eastern section of the second, became the eighth society 
in Norwich. The boundary lines were essentially the same as those that 
have existed in our own day. The eighth society held its first meeting, 
June 29, 1761, at which Capt. Jacob Hyde was chosen Moderator, 
William Brett, Clerk, and Capt. Jacob Hyde, Capt. Benajah Sabin and 
Capt. John Fillmore, a committee. 

As the individuals constituting the disaffected party counted upon a 
final separation as only a question of time, they were careful to secure 
the material composing the first church edifice when it was removed to 
make room for the second. This was subsequently erected upon a rise 
of ground a short distance south-east of the residence of Austin Ladd, 
upon the opposite side of the highway. A church evidently had been 
organized, which adopted the peculiarities of the Separatists of that day, 
a number of years anterior to the legal division of the society ; for, as 
early as Oct. 29, 1746, Thomas Denison was ordained their pastor, 
which office he continued to hold for about twelve years. This Thomas 
Denison is said to have been the owner of the ground upon which this 
first meeting house was erected. Within one month after its organiza- 
tion, July 21st, 1761, the society voted "to concur with the church in 
extending an invitation to Rev. Isaac Foster to settle in the work of the 
gospel ministry among us on the conditions mentioned in the warning." 
This vote was rescinded January 19th, 1762. But outside troubles 
have hardly ceased before domestic feuds threaten still greater difficulty. 
On the 11th of June, 1762, the society find it necessary to join with 



90 

the church in mutual council concerning the difficulties existing in their 
midst, and also to invoke the arbitration of the General Association. 

On the 12th of September, 1763, the vote of invitation to Rev. 
Isaac Foster to become their pastor was renewed, and a committee was 
appointed to repair to Harvard and Ipswich, Mass., where Mr. Foster 
had formerly resided, to enquire concerning his moral character. The 
investigations of their committee resulted in a second rescission of the 
invitation to Mr. Foster*. 

It was next voted, May 9th, 1764, to invite some licensed orthodox 
candidate that hath been liberally educated, to preach the gospel in said 
society. Soon afterwards. Rev. Joseph Denison was employed for a 
number of Sabbaths to supply the pulpit. Mr. Denison had graduated 
at Yale College the year previous and stood well with the Separates. 
This might have led to his employment here. For the succeeding two 
years quite a number of young men were employed to temporarily sup- 
ply the pulpit rather than as candidates for settlement. Of the num- 
ber may be mentioned Reverends James Treadway, Ambrose Collens, 
Ephraim Judson, Abner Johnson and Thomas Welles Bray, all of them 
recent graduates of Yale College, — also Rev. Joseph Lee, a graduate of 
Harvard. It is thus evident that they were in favor of an educated 
ministry. 

In 1766, Rev. Jesse Ives, also a graduate of Yale, was invited to 
preach, on probation, and subsequently settled as their minister with an 
annual salary of ninety-five pounds, one half in money and the remainder 
in provisions. To this sum was added thirty cords of good fire wood 
delivered at the door of his dwelling. Although Mr. Ives was the 
only settled pastor ever enjoyed by the eighth society as such, his min- 
istry was of short duration, for in 1770 his salary was withheld by a 
vote of the society, and shortly afterwards he removed to Monson, Mass. 

At this period the church, which partook largely of the Separate 
element, became very feeble, and ere long, it is said, ceased to exist as 
a distinct organization. And although the society had early manifested 
an earnest purpose by its oft repeated votes to supply the stated minis- 
trations of the gospel, their zeal had so declined that in 1784 a vote 
was passed to dispose of the meeting house to raise the sum of four 
pounds, lawful money, to pay the remaining liability of the society to 
Rev. Jesse Ives. Two years later. May, 1786, this eighth society in 



* It is not stated what the charges were that were preferred against Mr 
Foster. He received an honorarj'^ degree of A. M. from Yale College in 
1739, and from Dartmouth in 1778. He died in 1794. 



91 

Norwich became the second society in Franklin. It retained a nominal 
organization by meeting annually at private dwellings for the choice of 
society officers, till the close of the last century, and perhaps somewhat 
later, but this community does not appear to have enjoyed, during this 
period, any considerable religious privileges. In 1798 an initial move- 
ment was made in the right direction, to which reference will again be 
made. 

If the societv, as an ecclesiastical organization, was barely possessed 
of vitality sufficient to keep it in being, it did not fail to exert a salutary 
influence upon the four school districts within its limits. These were 
respectively called the "Jockey Island," or 1st district, " Portipaug," 
or 2d, "Woodtown," or 3d, and "Great Hill," or the 4th. These 
were solely under its charge and supervision, and it is believed that the 
society herein faithfully discharged its obligations to the community. 
The society also voted in 1767 to instruct the committee to treat with 
Capt. Benajah Sabin for a plot of land for a burying ground. This 
purchase was to enlarge a plot where graves had already been 
opened. It was again enlarged in 1792. This cemetery, the only one 
now in use in this section of the town, has recently been enlarged and 
greatly improved. The church, which was taken down and sold to Com- 
fort Fillmore, in 1784, and which was used by him in the construction of 
his dwelling, was substantially the same building that had, at an earlier 
period, stood upon Meeting House Hill, and parts of this same rude 
edifice were brought to Meeting House Hill from the Town Plot where 
they had originally been used in constructing an early church in that 
locality. 

It will thus appear that the same building materials which constituted 
an important part of the meeting house built by John Elderkin, at the 
Town Plot in 1673, entered somewhat largely into the first church built 
upon Meeting House Hill more than forty years subsequent to that date. 
This, in turn, was taken down and re-erected in 1746, in what was 
afterwards the eighth society in Norwich, and after battling with 
the elements for nearly forty years longer, it had to succumb a third 
time, and parts of it were finally converted into a dwelling house, where 
very possibly some remnants may be found at the present time. 

But a day of more promise is destined to dawn upon this community, 
for in 1798, a committee was appointed to select a site for another 
meeting house. This committee reported in favor of the corner of land 
then belonging to the Fox heirs, over against the dwelling of Josiah Tracy, 
3d, and that one acre of land should be secured. This move resulted 
in a free church that was erected here a few years later by the voluntary 



92 

contributions of individuals,* The seats were not only to be free, but 
the pulpit was to be open for all denominations of christians. Before 
this house was ready for use, and perhaps for a considerable time anterior 
to that period, public worship had been more or less regluarly held at 
private dwellings on the Sabbath. 

Although, as already stated, the pulpit was to be open for all denom- 
inations, it was almost uniformly and uninterruptedly improved by the 
Methodists till the village of Baltic sprung up upon the eastern border 
of the town. After the incorporation of the town of Sprague, in 1861, 
which included within its limits a large portion of the original eighth 
society, a new center was not only formed for business, but for public 
worship on the Sabbath also. As a result, the meeting house which had 
been statedly occupied on the Sabbath for more than forty years, was 
deserted, and finally removed and its foundations razed to the earth. 



* This church was completed in 181 5. About thirty years afterwards, (in 
1844,) the late Bailey Ayer generously presented the society with the means 
for procuring a bell. After this bell had pealed forth its familiar sounds 
from the church tower for one-fourth of a century, and after it had ceased to 
be heard in its original locality, it was secured by the committee of the first 
society and transferred to the church on the Hill, where it now regularly 
breaks the stillness of each returning Sabbath. 



Historical Sermon, 



BY 



Rev. Franklin C. Jones. 



The Historical Address was followed by the singing of 
the anthem, " Blessed are the people." The pastor, Rev. 
Franklin C. Jones, then delivered the following 



Historical Sermon. 



The history of the Ecclesiastical Society in this place, 
already presented, prepares us the better to understand 
the internal history of the church itself. To sketch the 
leading features of this history is the object of the present 
discourse. 

An appropriate motto for this historic epitome occurs 
in Isaiah 49 : 16 — " Behold, I have graven thee upon 

THE PALMS OF MV HANDS ; ThY WALLS ARE CONTINUALLY 
BEFORE ME." 

These words beautifully express the constancy of Jeho- 
vah's care for his church. It is the object of his unceasing 
regard. By day and by night, from generation to genera- 
tion and from age to age He watches it for its safety 
and seeks its prosperity. The history of the church 
universal is a continuous illustration of these words. 
And not only so, but each branch of that vine which is to 
overshadow all the earth enjoys his fostering care. Every 
particular church lives and grows through the centuries, 
because its name is engraven before God. Its strength is 
not in the skill and courage of the men who line its 
battlements, but in the Almighty, who has its walls con- 
tinually before him. Its members are ever dying, but the 
church lives on. The aged oak of our woods is to-day 



96 

preparing to shed its foliage ; and so it has done in each 
succeeding autumn for centuries. Yet it is the same oak 
whose dry leaves were driven before the November blast, 
when the Pequot and Mohegan still roamed a pathless 
wilderness. Four generations of the members of this 
church have lived and passed away ; but the spiritual 
organism to which they belonged still lives, and we of 
the fifth generation are united to all who have gone before 
us, by our membership in this living body. He who 
founded has watched over it, and as we trace its life we 
should gratefully acknowledge his loving and faithful 
care. 

The second Wednesday and eighth day of October, 
171 8, — one hundred and fifty years ago, — was an impor- 
tant day among the West Farmers of the town of Norwich. 
On that day their long cherished hope of having a church 
and a minister of their own was fulfilled. For at least 
eight years they had been waiting for a suitable time to 
accomplish this. They were people who loved the house 
of God ; but as year after year they had plodded through 
mud or drifted snow, afoot or on horse-back, to worship 
in the meeting house on the town plot, they had deeply 
felt the desirableness of having a sanctuary more easily 
accessible, and a pastor who might more readily find and 
tend his flock. In the year 1716, as we have seen, a 
favorable opportunity had occurred for the formation ot 
an ecclesiastical society. This was, to some extent, an 
experiment. When two years had elapsed, the people of 
the West Farms felt that they had demonstrated their 
ability to maintain a church and svipport a pastor among 
themselves. The necessary consent of the colonial gov- 
ernment was obtained by a petition addressed to the Gene- 
ral Court, assembled at Hartford in May, 171 8. Mr. Henry 
Willes, of Windsor, — a graduate in 171 5 of the college at 



97 

Saybrook, which was soon after to become Yale College at 
New Haven, — had been preaching to the people of West 
Farms for a year, and was ready to accede to their wish 
that he should be ordained as their minister. 

On the eighth of October a church was formally organ- 
ized* by the subscription of eight persons to a confession 
of faith, and these eight on the same day proceeded to 
ordain one of their number, Henry Willes, as their pastor. 
Of the composition of the council, or the religious exer- 
cises connected with these acts, we know nothing. It is 
quite probable that among the ministers present on this 
occasion were James Noyes, who had been forty-four 
years pastor of the church in Stonington, and who was 
then much the oldest pastcjr in eastern Connecticut ; 
Eliphalet Adams, of New London ; Ephraim Woodbridge, 
of Groton ; Salmon Treat, of Preston ; Samuel Whiting, 
of Windham, and Joseph Parsons, of Lebanon. There 
was one, however, of whose presence on that day we may 
be almost sure, namely, the Rev. Benjamin Lord, the new 
and youthful pastor of the parent church of Norwich. 
He must have been a college companion of Mr. Willes, 
having graduated one year before him, and it is quite 
likely that through his instrumentality Mr. Willes had 
hrst been invited to address the little congregation at the 
West Farms. We cannot but regret that no record 
remains of the religious exercises on the day we com- 
memorate. Perhaps it matters little. If a tree lives and 
bears good fruit, the inquiry by whom it was set out is 
comparatively unimportant. Yet we should be glad to 



* The original records of the Ecclesiastical Society give the date of Mr. 
Willes' ordination as Oct. 8th. It is not positively known that the church 
was organized on the same day, but there are various reasons for believing that 
such was the case. 



98 

know who planted the tree under whose spreading boughs 
we gather to-day. 

Eight women joined the new church by letter, probably 
on the very day of its organization, making in all sixteen 
members. Compared with the nearly nine hundred mem- 
bers who have since belonged to this church, this seems a 
small beginning. But it is not the part of the wise man 
to despise the day of small things. In the living acorn is 
enwrapped the oak. Doubtless the fathers who formed 
here the church of Christ felt that they were laying a 
foundation for many generations. They were like men 
who plant an orchard and think that their children and 
grandchildren will eat of its fruit when they are in their 
graves. There might have been those who said of this 
little church planted in a wilderness yet unsubdued, 
" Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even 
break down their stone wall." The work, however, was 
not of men, but of God ; the name of this church in the 
wilderness was graven before him, and in his keeping it 
has stood and prospered. 

The Confession of Faith adopted by the infant church 
is a clearly and carefully worded document. Its Calvin- 
ism is neither ''moderate" nor " consistent," but of the 
highest and strictest type. The language of the West- 
minster Assembly's Catechism is frequently quoted, and 
occasionally that of the Confession of 1680. On the sub- 
ject of church government but little is said, and that little 
does not enable us to determine whether the sentiment of 
the new organization accorded with that prevailing in the 
parent church, which rejected the Saybrook platform. 

The ministry of Mr. Willes embraces a period of thirty- 
two years, closing in 1750. Excepting the last six years, 
it seems to have been a time of prosperity and peaceful 



99 ^' ' ^ 

growth The church commenced its existence'' ^ season 
of great religious declension throughout ""^ ^^^^ England 
colonies. A hundred years had ^'^"^^^ ^"^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ 
settlement of New England. Th- I'^ligious faith and zeal 
which animated the Pilgrims. '"^^^^ wanting among many 
of their descendants. Mp^J ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^"^ ^^ the New 
World Avhose motives - ^^^ ^^^^ pure and elevated. While 
the churches ha^'' perhaps, lost nothing of the form of 
orthodox^ 'ii doctrine, some of them had lost much of the 
powei; of godliness. The union of church and state, and 
the extensive adoption of the " half-way covenant," had 
diminished the purity of many churches, and broken down 
the barriers which must ever divide the true people of 
God from the world. Revivals of religion were rare and 
of very limited extent. At such a time was this church 
founded, and, so far as we can now judge, it enjoyed a 
remarkable degree of spiritual prosperity in its early 
years, being blessed with more frequent revivals of reli- 
gion than many older churches of the colony. For a period 
of twenty -six years, from its organization to 1744, not a 
year passed without additions to its number on profession 
of faith. During that time there were three periods of 
special religious interest. The first was in 1721. In that 
year there occurred a remarkably precious and powerful 
revival in Windham, under the ministry of the Rev. 
Samuel Whiting, in which eighty persons were added to 
the church in that town. This work of grace was the 
more remarkable from the general religious declension 
throughout this region. The influence of that work seems 
to have extended into the town of Norwich, and both the 
First Church and that of West Farms shared its happy 
fruits. 

The movement known as the " Great Awakening " 
appears to have begun as early as 1735, though the new 

L.orc. 



lOO 

interest in religion did not become general until some 
years later. In that year there were revivals of marked 
interest and power in several churches, and among them 
was the church in this place. This fact is significant ot 
the earnestness and pastoral fidelity of its minister. As 
the result of this work of grace, thirty-one were added 
to the church. 

Six years later, at a time when the Spirit of God was 
extensively poured out over the whole land, the church 
was blessed with a revival more extensive in its manifest 
results than any other ever enjoyed in this community. 
Within the space of a little more than one year (1741-42), 
one hundred persons united with it on profession of faith. 
During the progress of this work the strength of Mr. 
Willes gave way, and he was prostrated for several weeks 
by sickness. But other trials more grievous than bodily 
illness were in store for him. He was to see the peaceful 
growth of the church stayed by controversies, partly 
religious and partly secular. A period of nearly forty 
years now passed, in which, from causes both internal and 
external, the promise of its early years was interrupted. 
The secular causes which led to the division of the church, 
and afterwards of the society, have been already detailed. 
But, as is usual in such cases, various influences conspired 
to produce the result. It has been often remarked that 
there is nothing about which men will fight so obstinately as 
matters of religious belief and observance. The truth of 
this saying was illustrated in this place a little more than 
a hundred years ago. 

It is well known that the good accomplished by the 
revivals of the Great Awakening was not unmixed with 
evil. There was much of fanatical excitement and extrav- 
agance. Violent outcries and bodily contortions were 
supposed by many to be legitimate signs of the presence 



lOI 

of the Holy Spirit. A class of ignorant and noisy lay 
preachers arose, who declaimed against the ministr3% and 
aimed only to excite the feelings and passions of their 
auditors. These disorders were lamented and opposed 
by Edwards and others of the wisest leaders of the work 
of reformation, as well as by the regular ministry in gen- 
eral. Some of the clergy were led to look with suspicion 
on the whole work, because of the disorders attending it. 
Others acknowledged the agency of the Spirit, while they 
also held that He could not be the author of confusion and 
extravagance. Of this class seem to have been Mr. 
Willes, the pastor of this church, and his early companion 
and life-long friend. Dr. Lord, of the First church in Nor- 
wich. In each of these churches, however, there was a 
party who espoused the views of those known as Sepa- 
rates or Separatists, — a denomination who professed to 
hold purer doctrine, and to be more strictly congrega- 
tional in their government, than the regular churches. 
Many churches of this sect were formed in eastern Con- 
necticut, by parties seceding from the established organ 
izations ; and among the churches thus divided were the 
First and Second of Norwich. That in this society was 
formed probably in 1746. Thomas Denison was ordained 
as its pastor in October of that year. But discord still 
prevailed in the church, which ultimately led to the dis- 
mission of Mr. Willes in 1750. He continued to reside 
here until his death in 1758. His funeral sermon was 
preached by Dr. Lord. Of the traits of his character or 
the details of his life we know but little. His name sur- 
vives, and the general evidence that he was a faithful and 
successful minister. More than this, — and the best of all, 
— his work survives. The church which he aided in 
founding, and which grew under his pastoral care to such 
goodly proportions, still lives ; and could we see all the 
7 



102 

hidden channels of moral influence, as they lie before the 
Omniscient eye, we should doubtless perceive among us 
to-day agencies for good at work, which might be traced 
back to the labors of the first pastor of this church. The 
good man's work never dies. He may pass away ; the 
spot where his dust reposes may be unknown ; his very 
name may sink into oblivion, but his work lasts. The 
good which he has done is his everlasting memorial. 

During a period of nearly three years following the 
dismission of Mr. Willes, the pulpit was supplied by 
various ministers, great pains being taken to hear none 
but orthodox preachers. In December, 1752, Mr. John 
Ellis, a native of Cambridge, Mass., and a graduate of 
Harvard college in the class of 1750, was invited to preach 
as a candidate. In February, 1753, he received a call to 
settle as pastor, the vote of the society in relation to it 
being fifty-eight in the affirmative and forty-nine in the 
negative. This record is sufficient evidence that dissen- 
sions still continued in the parish, and Mr. Ellis must have 
been a man of considerable resolution to accept the call 
under such circumstances. He was ordained in 1753, and 
held the office of pastor for twenty-six years. As he left 
no records, but little can now be known of the history of 
the church under his ministry. It was evidently not a 
peaceful or prosperous one. In the parish there was great 
discrepancy of views as to matters of doctrine and church 
o-overnment ; and the excitement and financial embar- 
rassment connected with the political condition of the 
country, was unfavorable to the prosperity of religion. 
Among the pastor's trials were those arising from extreme 
poverty, and the neglect or inability of the society to 
relieve his wants. 

In this connection honorable mention should be made 
ot the self-sacrificing patriotism of Mr. Ellis. He took a 



103 

lively interest in the welfare of the country, and cheer- 
fully shared with his people the burdens of war. In 1775 
he relinquished one hundred pounds of his salary, in con- 
sideration, as he says in a letter still preserved, of the 
burdens which had come upon his people in aiding to fit 
out the expedition to Crown Point. In the Revolution 
also, Mr. Ellis warmly espoused the cause of independ- 
ence, and entered the army as a chaplain in 1775. In 
this office he served until the conclusion of the war. Two 
of his sons also went into the army with him. With his 
enlistment in the public service his pastorate practically 
ceased, although the pastoral relation was not dissolved 
until 1779. 

Although it was the lot of Mr. Ellis to labor in troublous 
times, and amid multiplied discouragements, not less than 
seventy persons were added to the church during his 
ministry, — a large number, if we consider the state of the 
church and of the country. 

Another period of three years now passed, in which 
this flock was without a shepherd. We come down to the 
year 1782, in which our revolutionary struggle closed vic- 
toriously, — a year of hope and rejoicing throughout the 
land, and also one of auspicious omens for this parish. 
In March of that year a third pastor was ordained and 
installed over this church, whose ministry was destined to 
reach the almost unprecedented length of seventy years, 
whose name is still as ointment poured forth in this com- 
munity, and whose influence will be seen and felt here for 
man}^ years to come. It was high time that the vacant 
pastorate should be filled. The church had been, in effect 
Avithout a pastor during the whole period of the war. 
The Sabbath services had been much interrupted, the 
members of the church were scattered, and spiritual 
religion was at a low ebb. At this juncture there was 



104 

need of a minister earnest and energetic, to gather together 
the scattered flock and rebuild the desolations of Zion. 
Such an one was sent here in the person of Samuel Nott, 
a native of Saybrook, and a graduate of Yale College in 
1780. He was licensed at Durham in 1781, and com- 
menced preaching in this place in October of the same 
year. His ordination occurred in March, 1782. From the 
beginning he gave himself with characteristic energy to 
the labors of the ministry. For several years after his 
settlement his health was so feeble that no one would have 
ventured to predict for him a long career. But his phys- 
ical strength gradually improved, and during his long 
ministry he was very rarely prevented by sickness from 
the performance of official duty. That ministry was, from 
the beginning, one of marked success. He has left inter- 
esting memoirs of it in two published sermons, whose 
statements need not be recapitulated here. At the time 
of his settlement the church numbered seventy-two. The 
number received into it by him was four hundred and 
twenty-seven. For forty years there was no very marked 
revival of religion, but there were almost constant acces- 
sions to the church. With Dr. Nott it seems to have 
been always seed-time and always harvest. By the bless- 
ing of the Spirit he was ever reaping what he had sown 
in earlier years, and ever sowing what he was to reap in 
the years to come. The years 1821, 1831, and 1843, were 
marked by special outpourings of the Spirit, and large 
additions to the church. 

Of Dr. Nott's characteristics as a man and a preacher, 
it is difficult for one who had no personal acquaintance 
with him to speak to those who were familiar with his 
character and life. His image will rise vividly before the 
minds of many of you who have gathered here to-day, as 
associated with much that is most precious and most hal- 



I05 

lowed in the memories of by-gone years. Here are those 
to whom in infancy the seal of God's covenant was applied 
by his hand ; those who even in childhood learned to ven- 
•erate, and at the same time to love him ; those who by 
him were united in the sacred bonds of marriage ; those 
who at the funeral of man}^ a loved one listened to his 
words of instruction and sympathy ; those who felt 
honored in receiving him as a guest in their houses ; those 
who Sabbath after Sabbath were led by him to the throne 
of grace, and heard the divine word clearly and faithfully 
explained ; some who went to him in periods of trial and 
perplexity for counsel, and received sage advice, for which 
they have never ceased to bless God and revere his ser- 
vant ; and many whose opinions and character to-day bear 
the clear impress of his sound and faithful teachings. 

As a man. Dr. Nott was distinguished for his energy 
and decision of character. The circumstances in which 
he obtained his education illustrate this. Until he was 
twenty years old his life was passed in mechanical labor. 
Then, with little to depend upon but his own exertions, 
he resolved to secure an education ; and through many 
embarrassments he persevered until the end. So in his 
ministry, whatever he did was done heartily and with a 
will, and the momentum of his own determination carried 
others along with him. For punctuality he might be 
ranked with General Washington himself. He came and 
went, began and ended by the clock, and expected others 
to do the same. 

He was a man of great industry. " One duty follows 
another," was his motto, and he was ready for each duty 
as it came round. He accomplished a larger amount of 
labor than many others, because he kept doing while other 
men were resting or deciding what to do. His working 
power was increased by his remarkable cheerfulness of 



io6 

spirit, the result both of his native temperament and of 
his christian faith. With unusual serenity of soul he 
passed through the many domestic and public trials 
appointed to him, maintaining habitually that rare quali-- 
fication for usefulness, " a heart at leisure from itself." In 
addition to his ministerial labors and the cares of a large 
family, he gave instruction for many years to young men 
placed in his household. He fitted many for college, and 
not a few ministers received their theological training 
with him. Thus he became " a maker of public men." 

He was a man of sound judgment, discreet in dealing 
with men, and in managing the affairs of his parish ; pos- 
sessing much of that common sense, which is often worth 
more than learning or eloquence, and withovit which the 
wisest will often play the fool ; skilled in estimating men 
and things at their true value. He was also of a highly 
affectionate and social disposition, entering readily into 
the joys and sorrows of others, even to the last of life ; and 
having a peculiar aptness in introducing religious themes 
in conversation. " He was a man," says Dr. McEwen, 
" whose social affections never wore out. Rarely has a 
very aged minister lived who, having buried his genera- 
tion, could be so social, so happy, and so useful among 
survivors." 

As a preacher. Dr. Nott has been thus described by one 
who was a native of this town and who knew him well. 
" His sermons were marked by great simplicity of thought 
and style, and were devoted to the inculcation of the 
great doctrines and duties of religion. He was not learned, 
but had a quick and strong sense, an imagination of suffi- 
cient power to illustrate his thoughts often by bold figures, 
and a tenderness and fervor of feeling that gave them a 
deep impression on his hearers. He never indulged in 
abstruse speculation, nor wasted his efforts on trifles. In 



I07 

the pulpit he was grave, dignified, earnest and impressive, 
and had eminently the air of an ambassador of God. 
When animated, his attitude and air often became com- 
manding, and occasionall}' thoughts and emotions flashed 
from his lips that were strikingl}^ beautiful and impressive. 
In prayer he was simple, pertinent, and fervid, and he read 
the Scriptures with unusual propriety and force."* 

This church has great reason to bless God that such a 
man was given to it for so many years of usefulness, as its 
teacher and guide. As it was a privilege to enjoy his 
ministrations, so the recollection of his faithful teachings 
and his faithful life should make us all stronger and more 
true to the work which God has assigned us. 

At the age of ninety-three Dr. Nott was no longer able 
to perform the stated duties of the ministry, and Mr. 
George J. Harrison was ordained as Associate Pastor in 
March, 1849. Mr. Harrison is a native of Branford, and 
a graduate of Union College and Princeton Theological 
Seminary. His pastorate closed in October, 185 1. In 
the month of May succeeding, (1852), Dr. Nott, at the age 
of ninet3'-eight, passed away to his reward. 

The fifth pastor of the church was Rev. Jared R. Avery. 
He was educated at Williams College and Auburn Theo- 
logical Seminary, and was installed as pastor in March, 
1854. The following year was marked by a revival, as 
the fruits of which thirty-one were added to the church. 
Mr. Avery was dismissed in December, i860. 

The present pastor commenced preaching to this con- 
gregation in September, 1861, and was ordained February 
4th, 1863. 

This historic review should impress us with our respon- 
sibility, both for the religious privileges we enjoy, and for 

■ * See Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit, Vol. II, p. igo, &c. 



io8 

the fulfillment of the duties we owe to the Redeemer's 
kingdom. From the generations past a precious inheri- 
tance has been handed down to us, — to pass on through 
our hand to generations yet to come. We should do 
something to enhance its value before Ave leave it to those 
who shall come after, Bonaparte kindled the martial 
ardor of his troops on the plains of Egypt by the cry, 
" From the summits of these pyramids fort}'' centuries 
look down upon you." In a truer and nobler sense it may 
be said to us,™ Four generations of those who here have 
toiled and prayed for the promotion of Christ's kingdom, 
look down upon you, to behold your fidelity to that sacred 
standard which they have upheld in many a conflict and 
now have bequeathed to you. May the remembrance of 
this cloud of witnesses stimulate us to fidelity in the work 
of God. May this commemorative day be not only one 
of joyous re-union and of hallowed memories, but one also 
of re-consecration to the service of Christ. 



First Creed of the Church, 



ADOPTED AT ITS ORGANIZATION, 1718. 



We believe that there is one God, who is infinite, eternal and un- 
changeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and 
truth; distinguished into three persons, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory, and 
infinitely happy and blessed in the enjoyment of himself. 

The Scriptures are the very and infallible word of God, containing 
all things necessary to salvation, being a perfect rule to direct and teach 
us what to believe and how to live. 

God, from all eternity, hath decreed all things that come to pass in 
time. 

In the beginning God made all things very good, and that in the 
space of six days, by the word of his power alone, and man in his own 
image and after his own likeness, with dominion of the creatures, whose 
body he made of the earth, into which he infused a rational soul or 
spirit, made immediately of nothing ; and he does, by his most holy, 
wise and powerful providence, govern, guide and dispose of all creatures 
and things that he hath made, according to his sovereign and most 
absolute will and good pleasure. 

Man, as he came out of the hands of God, was perfect and holy and 
happy ; the estate wherein he was created was a sinless and blessed 
state. But he tell from it into an estate of sin and misery by sinning 
against God ; for our first parents, being left to the freedom of their 
own will, hearkened to the temptation of the Devil and eat of the tree of, 
knowledge of good and evil, contrary to the command of God ; hence, 
sin entered into the world, and death, temporal, spiritual and eternal 
by ein ; for Adam being constituted by God a public person, or one to 
act not only for himsell but also for all his posterity, hence his sin and 
guilt became theirs. 

Original sin, which consists in the want of original righteousness, and 
the corruption of the whole nature of man, constitutes, in part, the 
punishment of the first transgression, and hence arise all those actual 
transgressions which proceed from it. 



I lO 

God, of his mere good pleasure, elected some of the fallen children 
of men to everlasting life, and purposes to bring them out of the estate 
of sin and misery into an estate of grace and salvation by a Redeemer. 

The Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal 
Son of God, according to the Scriptures, who in executing the Covenant 
of Redemption made between God the Father and himself, in due 
time became man by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable 
soul, and so was, and continued to be, two distinct natures in one 
person, forever. 

Christ purchased salvation for the elect, or paid the price of their 
redemption unto God, by his active and passive obedience to the law in 
their stead and as their surety; and, as their Redeemer, sustains and 
executes the offices of a Prophet, of a Priest, and of a King. As a 
priest, he died for them, and therein offered the sacrifice of himself unto 
God for them, and makes intercession in heaven for them. x'\s a 
prophet, he reveals the will of God and the way of life to them, in his 
Word and by his Spirit. As a King, he rose again from the dead, by his 
own power delivering himself out of the hands of death, and freeing 
himself from the power of the grave, and in a glorious and triumph- 
ant manner ascended up to heaven and set him down at the right 
hand of God the Father, and will judge the world at the last day, and 
subdues his people to himself, and restrains and conquers all his and 
their enemies. 

Those that are elected are in due time effectually called. Effectual 
calling is the work of the Spirit which, by convincing us of our sin and 
misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ and renewing 
our wills, doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely 
offered unto us in the gospel. This embracing of Jesus Christ is saving 
faith, which faith is the great condition of salvation, and is ever accom- 
panied with true repentance. 

All that are effectually called are justified, adopted, and in this life 
sanctified, and glorified in the life to come. Those that are effectually 
called cannot either totally or finally fall from grace. 

After death the bodies of men return to dust and see corruption, and 
their souls to God, who gave them. The souls of the righteous being 
then made perfect in holiness, do immediately pass into glory ; tFieir 
bodies being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resur- 
rection. And the souls of the wicked are cast into Hell, and there are 
reserved in chains of darkness till the judgment of the great day, when 
the souls and bodies of men will be re-united, and the righteous will be 
raised up in glory and shall be openly acquitted and made perfectly 
happy in the enjoyment of God forever ; and then the wicked shall be 



1 1 1 

filled with shame and contempt, and at the day of judgment shall meet 
the awful sentence of eternal damnation, and shall be banished from the 
face and presence of Christ forever into outer darkness, where they shall 
be tormented soul and body with fire and brimstone. 

Concerning a particular church, we believe that it is a specific branch 
of a visible Catholic Church of Christ, consisting of several persons 
(who are the members thereof,) joining together to worship God in all 
the ways of his institution, or in all gospel ordinances. Church members 
have power of electing church officers, and when they have chosen them, 
ought to submit to them according to the rules of Christ, who is the King 
and head of the Catholic, and so of every particular church. 

Concerning the Sacraments of the New Testament, we believe them 
to be two; viz.. Baptism and the Lord's Supper, both of which are to 
be administered in every particular church of Christ by the ministers of 
the word ; and they are holy ordinances instituted by Christ, wherein, 
by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of his death are represented, 
sealed, and applied to believers. 

Baptism is a sacrament wherein the washing with water in the name 
of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost doth signify and seal our engraft- 
ing into Christ and partaking of the Covenant of Grace, and our en- 
gagement to be the Lord's. Baptism is to be administered to visible 
believers and their seed. 

The Lord's Supper is a sacrament or holy ordinance instituted of 
Christ, wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to 
the appointment of Christ, his death is showed forth, and they that 
worthily receive it, or partake as they ought, do therein by faith receive 
Christ himself, and in a spiritual manner feed upon his body and blood, 
broken and shed upon the cross for them, and so held forth, represented 
and offered thereby. 

In testimony of our belief of the aforesaid Confession or Articles of 
faith, we subscribe : — 

Henry Willes, Thomas Hazzen, 

David Hartshorne, Samuel Edgerton, 

Nathl. Rudd, Samuel Ladd, 

Joseph Kingsbury, Joseph Kingsbury, Jun. 

Note. — A second Confession of Faith, with a form of Covenant an- 
nexed, was adopted by the church soon after the commencement of Dr. 
Nott's ministry. It was, substantially, the same as the first, but much 
more concisely written, and was probably drawn by Dr. Nott himself. 
Much of the phraseology of this Confession having become obsolete, a 
third Confession of Faith and Covenant was adopted by the church, 
Nov. 5, 1865. 



Deacons of the Church. 



1718 — Joseph Kingsbury, *174\. 

1718 — David Hartsliorne, *1738, 

1735 — Feb. 20, — Joseph Kingsbury, Jun., *1757- 

1735 — Feb. 20, — John Durkee, 

1759 — Barnabas Huntington, *1787. 

1770 — Ephraim Kingsbury, *1772. 

1777 — Joseph Hunt, *i786. 

1786 — Mar. 10, — Joshua Willes, *i8i5. 

1787 — June 27, — Isaac Johnson. 

1807 — Jan. 2, — Phinehas Corwin. 

1 8 1 5 — May 6, — Azariah Huntington, 

1816 — May 3, — Samuel Allen, 

1824 — Dec, 30, — Dyer McCall, 

1832 — May 4, — Joseph Willes, 

1842 — Mar. 4, — Nathaniel C. Greenslit, 

1852 — Mar, 5, — Benjamin S, Hastings, 

1853 — July 3, — Ashbel Woodward. 

1859 — Sept, 2, — Henry N, Smith. 



* 


833- 


* 


826, 


* 


838. 


* 


860, 


* 


854. 


* 


859. 



Intermission. 



At the close of the Historical Sermon, Rev. Elisha C. 
Jones, of Southington, led in prayer, after which the choir 
sang- the hymn — - 

" Lord God of Hosts, by all adored ! 
Thy name we praise with one accord ; 
The earth and heavens are full of thee, 
Thy light, thy love, thy majesty." 

The audience were then invited to adjourn to the adjacent 
town house, where the committee on collation, aided by 
the ladies of the society, had provided a 

COLLATION 

with bounteous abundance. Tables were arranged leno-th- 
wise of the building and loaded with ham, tongue, beef, 
sandwiches, biscuit spread with yellow Franklin butter, 
huge slices of Franklin cheese, and pies and cakes in great 
profusion. The ladies were determined to convince the 
returning wanderers that the old-time Franklin hospitality 
had suffered no decline, and that the tempting culinarv 
arts of their mothers had been carefully preserved ; and 
no one questioned their success. 

After the collation, about an hour was devoted to social 
converse, and many were the glad surprises which we 
noticed, as early friends unexpectedly met each other, and 
many the smiling faces as circles of former youthful inti- 
mates found themselves once more united. We saw one 
elderly gentleman running about with the eager hilarity 

of a boy, and searching for Capt. — , whom he had 

not seen since they had played " H' I spy" together, 
around the wall of Deacon Willes' barnyard, fifty-three 
years ago the previous April. 



114 

The celebration probably produced a more general re- 
union of her absent children than Franklin had ever before 
witnessed. Not a few had come from distant states to be 
present at this occasion, and some were here who had 
never re-visited the town since their first departure from 
it, many years ago. The pleasure manifested by all these 
at being again among familiar sights and places, was a 
happy illustration of the force of local attachment and of 
the strength of the ties stretching from New England 
through the length and breadth of the land. 

At three o'clock the bell again summoned to the church 
to the exercises of the afternoon. 



Afternoon Exercises. 



The exercises of the afternoon were opened with the 
singing of the anthem, " Once more this da}'." 

The pastor then read the fo]h:)wing letter from the Hon. 
LaFayette S. Foster. 

Norwich, Oct. 12, 1868. 

My Dear Sir : — I am exceedingly sorry not to be with you to-mor- 
row. It is impossible for me not to be much interested in this celebra- 
tion. Franklin is my birthplace ; those years of my life in which we 
form the strongest local attachments, were passed there, my maternal 
ancestors for several generations are buried there, many of my best and 
earnest recollections center there. 

That I should be unable to be present and take some part in the 
exercises of the day is, I assure you, a matter ot sincere regret. I trust 
and believe that your meeting may be both pleasant and profitable, and 
that in recurring to the past, the present generation may be stimulated 
to copy the examples of the wise and good who have gone before them, 
and so add luster to the history of the town which gave us birth. With 
kind and cordial greetings to the natives of our town, and to all who 
may join in the celebration. 

My dear sir, very truly yours, 

LaFayette s. foster. 

Dr. A. Woodward. 

The following letter from Bela Edgerton was then 
read : — 

HicKsviLLE, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1868. 

Ashbel Woodward, Esq. — Your note and the invitation to be present 
at the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the church and society of 
Franklin, has been duly received. I greatly regret that I cannot be 
present, as it would give me great pleasure to visit my native town once 



ii6 

more. But my age and the infirmities incident to it forbid such a 
journey. That you may have a happy, good, and glorious time is my 
earnest prayer. Permit me to offer a sentiment : — 

"Franklin — The grave of my ancestors, the home of my childhood, 
the abode of a virtuous and honored people, long may their example 
be cherished, their puritan piety maintained unimpaired, and generations 
yet unborn follow the bright example. 

I am, sir, respectfully yours, 

B. EDGERTON. 
N. B. — I am now eighty-two years old the present month, 

B. E. 

The following letter from the Rev. C. H. Chester was 
next read : — 

Geneva, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1868. 
Mr. Ashbel Woodward, Chairman, &c. 

Dear Sir. — I thank you for the invitation to be present at the one 
hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Congregational church and 
society of Franklin. The name awakens pleasant memories. Though 
not myself a native of Franklin, but of Norwich, it was the birth-place 
of my sainted mother, and the home of my grand-parents. 

Well do I remember, looking back more than forty years, the old 
" meeting house on the hill," plain even to plainness in its form and 
finish — no steeple, no bell the main entrance on the side fronting the 
green ; a door in each end ; large, square, and high-backed pews, made 
of chestnut wood, unpainted, and neither oiled nor varnished ; the pul 
pit high and narrow, with long winding stairs, trimmed with velvet ; 
the sounding-board on which I see now the quaint old figures, 1745; 
the galleries, (I recollect them well,) extending around three sides of 
the house, spacious and generally empty, a fine place for the tired farmer 
boys to stretch themselves out and have a good sleep ; the choir directly 
in front of the pulpit and over the main entrance, where, conspicuous, 
was that good man. Deacon Willes, with his tuning pipe ; and that ven- 
erable man of God, so slender, so spry, so queer in his dress — all these 
things are brought vividly to my recollection to-day. They have all 
passed away. They live only in our memories. 

Allow me to note an incident connected with what, it seems to me, 
is the central figure in this celebration. It is a simple one, but it may 
serve to recall to some minds the long-lived and long-loved pastor of 
other days. 



117 

I was walking down the long hill leading from the meeting house, and 
had come to the foot of it, when, on looking before me, I saw the ven- 
erable Dr. in his buggy, approaching me. Between him and me were 
the school children who had just been let out for the night. As he 
came up to them he reined in his horse, and, removing his broad- 
brimmed hat from his head, he passed slowly through the ranks, waving 
it first to one side and then to the other, and so received the respectful 
and loving salutations of the young ones. It was a picture of patri- 
archal simplicity and grace which made an ineffaceable impression on 
my mind. 

The old church has been, I am told, replaced by a new one. There 
is a new pastor, and, of course, since I, a boy, used to visit the place, 
a new congregation. " The fathers, where are they V 

May God bless both pastor and people, and make your anticipated 
gathering a holy convocation, fraught with pleasant memories, and full 
of promise for the years which are to come. 

I regret that it will not be possible for me to be with you in person. 
Yours, very respectfully, 

C. H. CHESTER. 

The poet of the day, Mr. Anson G. Chester, of Buffalo, 
N. Y., then delivered the following- Poem. 



Poem, 



BY 



Anson G. Chester. 



The Poem. 



It was in the dear old days, 

Days of earnest thought and labor, 
Days when man, with soul and strength, 

Served his God and loved his neighbor — ■ 
When a simple faith and trust 

Lent to life a heavenly sweetness. 
And its discipline of toil 

Gave it relish and completeness— 
In those calm and quiet days. 

By a loving radiance gilded, 
Here was set the ark of God, 

Here, in hope, a church was builded. 

It was in the bloom and pride 

Of the old colonial season. 
When the ruler's word and will 

Formed the sum of law and reason ; 
When imperious Britain held 

All our treasures in her keeping, 
And the beasts of after wars 

In their secret lairs were sleeping ; 
When the godly Puritan 

■Prayed, like Daniel, long and often, 
And, responsive to his cries. 

Souls would melt and hearts would soften 



122 

When the hand was never closed, 

And the speech was frank and candid, 
And the Sabbath Day was kept 

Holy, as its Lord commanded ; 
When the artless sermon sent 

Swift conviction to the hearer ; 
When, though life was dear and sweet, 

Yet was honor sweeter, dearer ; 
When the sturdy soul could pass 

Scatheless through the fires of passion- 
When the very garb was cut 

In a modest, Christian fashion ; 
When the lips were free from guile 

And the breast from jealous burnings. 
And the pious heart was thronged 

With immortal hopes and yearnings. 

It was long before the hour 

When, in spite of regal minions. 
Freedom bade her chosen bird 

Spread and try its eager pinions — 
Penned the Charter of our Rights, 

With its bold, majestic phrases. 
Wrote her matchless name in blood 

On the golden hearts of daisies ! 
When the grandest problem known 

Found its full and fit solution 
Through the bayonet and the sword. 

In the glorious Revolution ; 
When a sweeter era dawned. 

And the days of king-craft ended. 
And the gladsome songs of peace 

To the Lord of Peace ascended ; 



123 

When began the proud career 

Of a calm, reliant nation, 
Mighty through its trust in God, 

Up to Glory's loftiest station. 

So they built the dear old church 

In the early days and pleasant, 
Days that 1-end a roseate hue 

To the clouds that skirt the present : 
Earnest, simple, pious men, 

Men who loved the Heavenly Master, 
Men who feared the ways of sin 

More than danger or disaster — 
Men to whom the Law was good 

And the Promise full of flavor, 
Men who cared for riches less 

Than the Father's smile and favor. 
Here, for years they heard the Truth, 

Here their tuneful praises proffered. 
Here their willing alms they gave, 

Here, in faith, their prayers were offered ; 
Here their childrens' brows were wet 

With the sweet baptismal waters ; 
Here — for love is old as time — 

Here were wed their sons and daughters ; 
Here their honored clay was borne, 

When their earthly work was over, 
And, the tearful service closed. 

Laid to rest beneath the clover. 

Doubt not, while this church, to-day. 
O'er its wondrous past rejoices, 

Doubt not that the dead are here 
With their angel harps and voices ! 



124 

Though we see no golden stairs 

Reaching from the sapphire portal, 
Though their shining forms are veiled 

From our vision, gross and mortal, 
They have laid their crowns aside, 

They have come from heavenly places. 
And their words are in our ears 

And their breath is on our faces ! 
They, the pioneers of God 

In a new and barren region — 
Weak in numbers, but in faith 

Stronger than a Roman legion — 
They who built and they who kept. 

They who planted, watched and tended, 
They who since have lived and died 

In the faith their sires defended — 
They, a glorious band, are here, 

Here to join our glad thanksgiving — 
Rapturous must the worship be 

When the dead inspire the living ! 

Other dead than these have come 

From the shining hills above us — 
Ah ! it is a blessed thing 

That the saints may know and love us ! 
They who taught the earlier church 

Heavenly truths from holy pages — 
Gave it manna from above, 

Water from the Rock of Ages ; 
They who ever loved to tell 

Calvary's sweet and blessed story — 
First the thorns and then the gold. 

First the cloud and then the glory ! 
They whose words were words of peace. 

They whose lives were pure and holy, 



125 

They who warmed and clothed the poor, 
They who lifted up the lowly ; 

Men of faith and men of prayer, 

Tender friends and zealous teachers — 

Lo ! they take their rightful place 
Here among the liying preachers. 

One of these in life I knew, 

When m}^ own was in its morning — 
Oft I heard his Sabbath prayers, 

Oft his solemn Sabbath warning. 
I can see the good man still, 

Clad in quaint and ancient yesture, 
See his crown of silyer hair, 

See his pleading look and gesture. 
If his yoice was heayenly soft 

While he spoke of Calyary's wonders, 
When he laid the doctrines down 

It was clothed with wSinai's thunders ! 
If his heart was like a child's 

And his nature warm and pliant, 
Question but his hope and faith 

And you roused a sleeping giant. 
He could see the stamp of God 

On the meanest of His creatures, 
In the homeliest Christian face 

Find celestial lines and features. 
He was one who loved to strew^ 
Garlands on the paths of duty. 
Loved in common things to seek 

For immortal truth and beauty ; 
So he found — this good old man. 

Truest, saintliest, best of pastors — 
Angels' e3'es in violets, 

Bethlehem's tranquil star in asters ; 



126 

Found in leaf and brook and cloud, 

Found in nature's simplest forces, 
Found in dew-drop, flake and fern 

Matter for his apt discourses. 
Ah ! the tears that he has wiped. 

Ah ! the hearts that he has lightened. 
Ah ! the burdens he has shared, 

Ah ! the lives that he has brightened. 
Not a richer crown than his 

Flashes through the jasper arches 
When the ransomed host of God 

Makes its grand and stately marches ! 
Brighter is its virgin gold 

Than the sheen of kingly sabres, 
And its jewels are the souls 

Purchased by his pious labors. 

What our fathers sowed in tears 

We, to-day, in joy are reaping — 
Buried seed will sprout and grow 

While the husbandman is sleeping. 
So this maniple of corn, 

Hid, in faith, upon the mountains, 
Touched to life by power divine. 

Watered from celestial fountains. 
Through the long and misty years 

Ever growing and increasing, 
Shakes like Lebanon, at last, 

Lusty, ripe and full of blessing. 

To the new and golden age 
Through a sterner age of iron. 

Through the trial and the storm, 
God has led this reverend Zion ; 



12/ 

Still His peace shall be her sta}^ 

Still His hand shall lead her surely- 
Trusting to His love and care 

She shall ever walk securely. 
List, O Zion, Bride of Christ ! 

To the Psalmist's lofty numbers — ■ 
" He who keepeth Israel 

Never sleeps and never slumbers ! " 

Thou who rulest over all, 

Thou whose love all love excelleth, 
Smile upon this holy place 

Where Thy sovereign honor dwelleth. 

Thou our Refuge and our Rock, 

Thou our Maker, Friend and Father, 

On this church, so full of years. 
Let Thy benedictions gather. 

Give its pastor plenteous grace 

In his every work and function, 
Guide his thoughts, inspire his words. 

Grant him holy zeal and unction ; 
May his labors bud and bloom 

Like the queenly rose of Sharon — 
Give his deacons helpful hands. 

Like the hands of Hur and Aaron. 

May its members walk in love. 
Doing all Thy will and pleasure — 

Fill their souls with heavenly peace 
And their hearts with heavenly treasure. 

Take its infants in Thine arms 
And its youth and children cherish — 

Let no lamb of all the flock 
Stray from Thee, O God ! and perish. 



128 

Give its men the fire of Paul, 

Abram's faith and John's emotion — 

Give its women Esther's hope, 
Mary's trust and Ruth's devotion. 

Of its aged be the staff 

Till to glory Thou hast borne them ; 
Be the warden of its dead — 

Comfort Thou the hearts that mourn them. 

Here may living waters flow, 

For the healing of the nation — 
Make these hallowed portals praise, 

Make these sacred walls salvation. 

And to God the King and Lord, 
Pitying Judge and Gracious Giver, 

To the Father, Spirit, Son, 

Be the praise and power forever ! 



129 

The delivery of the poem was followed by the singing 
of the anthem, " How beautiful in Zion," after which, 

The Rev. Thomas L. Shipman, of Jewett City, spoke 
substantially as follows : — 

There is one figure before us wherever we are to-day, — Dr. Nott. It 
makes me a better man only to think of him. I remember him well, 
for I have been acquainted with him many years. I recall many of his 
expressions in prayer. He was very pertinent and comprehensive in 
prayer. "May thy grace be sufficient for us and mighty in us." At 
" Minister's Meeting," he often had these petitions, but never too often, 
" May we love our Master and love our work." His style was char- 
acterized by great simplicity ; he came right to his subject, said what he 
had to say in simple Saxon, and when he had done, stopped. No man 
ever laid the sin of prolixness at the Dr.'s door. The Doctor was very 
much attached to the ministers' meeting. He was first to come, and 
first to leave at the close. The brethren would sometimes say to 
him, " Don't be in haste. Dr." His quick reply would be, "one duty 
follows another, — love to your families "; and before the brethren were 
ready to start he would be half a mile on his way home. 

Towards the close of life, when his powers were much impaired, the 
family were unwilling that he should attend the meetings, fearing that 
some accident might befall him, and possibly that as he could not con- 
tribute to the interest of the meeting as he had done in former days, 
his presence might be an annoyance. If they ever entertained such an 
impression. I take this opportunity to disabuse them, for never was his 
presence more welcome. At the ordination of your present pastor, I 
shared the hospitalities of the family in the old parsonage. At the table 
I turned to my hostess and asked her if a story I had told and published of 
the Dr. was true. Her memory seemed very oblivious, but her husband, 
with a knowing wink whispered, " I guess it is true, for it sounds like them 
both." The story was to this effect. — At a certain time an invitation 
came up from Norwich to the Dr., to attend a Sabbath School celebra- 
tion of Independence. When the morning came, his grand-daughter 
took a seat in the carriage with him. The arrangement did not please 
the Dr. at all. " It's no place for women at ministers' meeting." " We 
are not going to ministers' meeting, we are going to celebrate the 4th of 
July." " It's no place for women, 4th of July, among the military." 
" There ain't going to be any military, it is a Sabbath School celebra- 
tion of Independence." He caught at the idea of -independence. ** I 
like independence, and women like independence too." *' They don't 



I30 

have much." " They Jiave quite as much as they can bear." If there 
are any " Woman's Rights " brethren present, I crave their pardon, but 
I was not willing to spoil a good story for their sakes. 

Rev. Hiram P. Arms, of Norwich Town, followed, and 
in a brief address, as pastor of the mother church, pre- 
sented her kind salutations and hearty congratulations to 
her first born daughter on the completion of her third 
half century, to which were added some pleasant reminis- 
cences of the late Dr. Nott. 

Rev. Anson Gleason, formerly a missionary to the Choc- 
taw Indians, and afterwards pastor of the Indian church 
at Mohegan, gave some interesting reminiscences of his 
first acquaintance with Franklin, and of his subsequent 
ministerial intercourse with Dr. Nott. 

Rev. David Metcalf next spoke and related quite a 
number of anecdotes of early Franklin worthies, and 
among them the following : — 

When I was about to offer my services as a school teacher, I attended 
in the fall of the year upon Mr. Nott's instruction about six weeks, with 
a number of young men. The school room was Mr. Nott's study. 
After recitation, one day, one of the young men rose and put on his 
hat in Mr. Nott's presence. Mr. Nott said to him, '^' Young gentleman, 
please take off your hat." He replied, "I thought school was done." 
" I am the same man now that I was before," said Mr. Nott, and thus 
that matter ended. At the close of the six weeks, I asked Mr. Nott if 
he would give me a line of recommendation as a school teacher. 
" Well," said he, " I can give you a line, but I shall not tell any lies 
for you." 

Rev. W. H. Moore next spoke briefly. 

Rev. Jared R. Avery, of Groton, a former pastor of this 
church, followed, and said — 

Because of the lateness of the hour and the fact that others are to 
address you, I shall speak with much brevity. For nine years, from 
Nov. 1851, I ministered to this people. It constitutes the laborious 
and happy period of my life. My services commenced six months 
before the death of Dr. Nott. Much has been said of this venerable 



131 

man's punctuality and urbanity. Much may be said of his piety and 
his persistency for the right. He loved the sanctuary ; and for the six 
months preceding his death, he failed of attending public worship only 
one and a half Sabbaths ; it being the winter season of storms, and he 
98 years old ! Though unable to present formal sermons, he preached 
every day. At the close of the morning service on the last Sabbath he 
ever worshipped with the church militant, he addressed me in his pecu- 
liarly shrill voice, " Very well, sir, you have preached very well ; but 
remember, we must beware lest, while we preach to others, we ourselves 
be castaways." To me that was a solemn sermon which I have often 
reviewed with trembling. Others have spoken of the toils and sufferings 
of pastors. I may speak of the joys and sorrows and kindnesses of the 
people. A revival of religion during my ministry has been alluded to 
in the historical discourse of the present pastor. It was a precious 
season, one of general interest, and as fruits of which, a goodly number 
were added to the church. There is a sadness mingled with our joys 
to-day, in review of the past. During my time of service, three dea- 
cons, Messrs. Greenslit, Willes and Hastings were removed by death ; 
and many, many other loved ones of all ages. The two deacons of 
to-day were set apart to their office during the period of my ministry. 
This community's material tokens of kindness to their fifth pastor and 
his family continued to the last ; and I can honestly say that I love to 
visit this people above any other, and take you by the hand, though 
that greeting be often attended by the falling tear. 

Rev. Joseph W. Backus was next called upon. Mr. 
Backus, at the close of his remarks, produced some curious 
historical documents illustrating the rigorous manner in 
which the tjthing men fulfilled the duties of their office 
a century ago. 

Rev. George J. Harrison, a former pastor of this church, 
and colleague of Dr. Nott, then spoke as follows : — 

My acquaintance with this town commenced twenty years ago, about 
the middle of last month. The occasion of this acquaintance was as 
follows ; — I received a letter from the respected chairman of your 
committee of arrangements, intimating that, in the opinion of the peo- 
ple, the venerable pastor of this church had fairly earned a period of 
rest, and that they were disposed to afford him relief from further labor 
by providing one who should be his assistant, and inviting me to come 
here in view of these facts. 



132 

One Sabbath morning I met and was introduced to Dr. Nott, at tlie 
large elm tree which stands at the corner, near Deacon Willes' house. 
He invited me to preach and I accepted the invitation. This was re- 
peated several successive Sabbaths. At length the Dr. noticed my long 
continuance, and remarked to his grand-daughter " that he should think 
that Mr. Harrison had better be somewhere, seeking a place ; that he 
could not afford to pay him anything, and he was sure that the people 
could not." His grand-daugher, in reply, informed him that the people 
proposed to provide him with a colleague. This statement the Dr. 
refused to believe. 

Soon there was a call and acceptance ; and in due season arrange- 
ments were made for an ordination. It was the pleasure of the people 
that this should occur on the 13th of March — the anniversary of the 
ordination of Dr. Nott. The day was a beautiful one, the air was soft, 
and great numbers came together from near and from far, attracted by 
the peculiar circumstances of the occasion. 

Immediately after the completion of the usual services, the Dr. stepped 
forward and, in a few appropriate remarks, expressed his approbation of 
what had been done, and cordially thanked his people for their kindness 
in thus providing him with help. From that hour the entire charge of 
the parish was resigned into my hands, and it was with difficulty that Dr. 
Nott could be induced to perform the most trifling service. It was the 
desire of the people to hear his voice once on each Sabbath day. I 
therefore made it a point to invite him to offer the closing prayer of the 
afternoon; but only succeeded by the employment of a sort of strategy. 
As soon as I had finished the sermon, I would wave my hand to him as 
an invitation to offer the prayer, at the same time averting my eyes that 
he might not be able to decline. 

The communion service, which would naturally have been observed 
on the first Sabbath of March, was deferred until the Sabbath after the 
ordination. Dr. Nott presided at the breaking of the bread ; and those 
who were present will not easily forget the eminent propriety with 
which he concluded his portion of the service. Rising, and devoutly 
raising his hands towards Heaven, he commenced his address to the 
throne of grace with the following words : " O Lord, we are here in 
new circumstances. The senior pastor is present and the junior pastor 
is present." And so he proceeded, with that wonderful directness and 
appropriateness by which his prayers were always marked. 

Mr. Thomas D. Stetson next spoke very briefly. 

Rev. Jesse Fillmore followed, and spoke with much in- 
terest of his early recollections of Franklin. 



133 

Rev. Anson Gleason then led in prayer, after which was 
sung the hymn, — 

" Lord, now we part in Thy blest name, 
In which we here together came, 
Grant us, our few remaining days. 
To work Thy will and spread Thy praise." 

The audience then joined in the doxology, and the ex- 
ercises of the anniversary were closed with the 

BENEDICTION. 



Appendix. 



A large number of interesting letters were received by 
the Committee of Arrangements from persons to whom 
invitations to the celebration had been extended. We 
append a few of these letters, regretting that the limits 
of the volume will not permit a more general collection. 

We give first the letter of Miss F. M. Caulkins, of New 
London, who was invited to prepare a hymn to be sung 
at the opening of the anniversary exercises : — 

New London, Sept. 4, 1868. 
Dear Sir : — 

It gives me pleasure to hear of the proposed celebration at Franklin. 
I love these anniversary days. It does the heart good, sometimes, to 
turn aside and " ask for the old paths," especially the path of the just 
— that we may " walk therein .'"' 

My health is so fluctuating that I can scarcely hope for the gratifica- 
cation of personally presenting myself before this venerable Hundred 
and Fiftieth. But if health and other circumstances permit, I shall 
delight in being one of the train. In heart I shall certainly be there, 
nor shall the contribution so courteously requested be wanting. In the 
course of a few days I will forward a hymn. 

Respectfully, sir, yours, &c., 

FRANCES M. CAULKINS. 
Ashbel Woodward, M. D. 

The Committee of Arrangements early invited Anson 
G. Chester, of Buffalo, New York, to deliver a poem at 
the celebration. Subjoined is Mr. Chester's letter of 
acceptance : — 



136 

Buffalo, Sept 8th, 1868. 
Dr, Ashbel Woodward, Franklin Conn. 

Dear Sir: — I am in receipt of your letter, conveying to me tlie inform- 
ation that the Congregational church and society of Franklin propose 
to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of their organiza- 
tion upon the fourteenth of October next, and inviting me to prepare 
a poem to be read upon that occasion. 

Franklin was the birthplace and early home of my beloved and 
sainted mother; it was in the old church in Franklin that her infant 
forehead received the sacred seal of baptism, and there in the years of 
her maidenhood, she made profession of that faith which beautified all 
her after life and rendered her death serene and triumphant ; in Frank- 
lin she was married, and her children can testify that for Franklin, its 
woods and fields, its church, its people, she cherished a love which never 
languished, to the very moment when her mortal put on immortality. 

So I seem to hear in your invitation the gentle pleadings of my 
mother's voice — pleadings which, as of old and always, I hear but to 
obey. 

You may, therefore, expect me to be present at your celebration 
and to bring with me such fruits, of the nature indicated in your very 
kind letter, as in the meantime I may be able to gather. 

With my grateful thanks to the committee tor an invitation which is, 
alike, complimentary in itself and its source, and which, while it whis- 
pers pleasant things to my pride, touches the tenderest fibres ot my 
heart, 1 am. Dear sir, 

Very sincerely yours, 

ANSON G. CHESTER. 



Salem, Mass., Oct. 13, 1868. 
Ashbel Woodward, Esq., Chairman Com. of Arrangements, &c. 

Dear Sir. — I received your very polite note inviting me to attend 
your celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the 
organization of your church and society, and I deeply regret it is not in 
my power to be present. Imperative official engagements which I can- 
not well control, prevent ; and I have delayed answering your note until 
the last moment, in the hope that I could control them. I certainly 
feel a deep interest in the event to be commemorated, in which, and 
in all vour history to this day, my ancestors and kindred have taken no 
inconsiderable part ; and I should be most happy to unite with you all 
to-morrow in doing honor to the great and excellent many who have 



137 

rendered your annals as a church and a people, not undistinguished, and 
have given a name to Franklin of which you have no cause to be 
ashamed. 

One name alone in your history, so loved and honored in the genera- 
tions which he served, that of Samuel Nott, deserves to be held in 
perpetual remembrance, and to be regarded as one of your most precious 
jewels on such an occasion as this, as well as at all times. He was widely 
and most honorably known in his long pastorate, and is largely identified 
with your history, and has given a prestige to the name and character 
of your town, as the minister of Franklin, not unlike to that given to 
your namesake town in this commonwealth by the long life and services 
in the ministry of Nathaniel Emmons, the minister of Franklin, Mass. 
All the names of the men and of the towns are great and good ; and 
your Franklin, a smaller one, was named, I presume, in honor of the 
great American statesman and philosopher. Again thanking you for 
your kind and considerate invitation to join in your celebration, which, 
I trust, and have no doubt, will be worthy of the event which you do 
well thus to mark, I remain. 

Yours, very respectfully, 

ASAHEL HUNTINGTON. 



Norwich, Sept. 17, 1868. 
Doct. Ashbel Woodward, Chairman of the Committee. 

Dear Sir: — I should take great pleasure in attending the celebration 
of the Congregational church and society in Franklin, in accordance 
with your invitation, but an engagement in another part of the state on 
that day will prevent. 

It is a cause for great gratitude that for a century and a half the 
church has, in efforts to sustain a sound ministry, to secure the conver- 
sion of sinners to Christ, and to extend the interests of His kingdom in 
other lands, brought forth fruit to the glory and honor of the Master. 
That these efforts may continue and that the church may reflect, as it 
ever has, the light of the Gospel of the Son of God, is the prayer of 

your friend and obedient servant, 

WM. A. BUCKINGHAM. 



Buffalo, October 5, 1868. 
Dr. Ashbel Woodward, Chairman, &c. 

Dear Sir : — I have delayed answering your note of invitation to 



138 

attend the interesting celebration of your church on the 14th inst., in 
the hope that I might be able to send an acceptance of the same ; but 
as I now see that it will not be practicable for me to be present, I 
will wait no longer, but express to you my thanks for the invitation and 
mv sincere regret that I cannot be present to share in the festivities and 
solemnities of that occasion. 

Though not a son of Franklin, I am a grandson, and many 
precious early memories cluster about that locality. In the old 
church, not the oldest, my father, a native of the neighboring town 
of Montville, saw by chance in the choir, my mother, the eldest child 
of Major Eleazar Tracy, the eldest, by the way, of fourteen girls and 
boys, — they had families in those days, — my father's father was the 
eldest of sixteen children, — and the black hair and bright eyes of the 
youthful Prudie were too much for him ; he yielded at once, and the 
next year, in 1811, Dr. Nott was sent for to heal the wound that love had 
made. This event had quite an important bearing upon my history, 
and gives to the Franklin meeting house a personal interest that I can 
never lose. Very often, in my childhood and early youth, in my visits 
to my grandfather, have I attended service in the old church, and most 
vividly do I recall the appearance and voice of the pastor who for so 
many years ministered to this flock. I had then the veneration for the 
minister, which has to so great an extent disappeared in this age, and 
which will be of no loss, if we do not also lose veneration for the re- 
ligion which the minister represented. 

I am sorry I cannot come, but I send my youngest brother, who shall 
speak for us both in his graceful verse, inspired by the love of the dear, 
departed mother, with whose blessed memory Franklin, and especially 
the Congregational church in Franklin, will ever be associated. 
Very gratefully and truly yours, 

A. T. CHESTER. 



Aurora, Illinois, Oct. 7th, 1868. 
To Ashbel Woodward, Chairman Com. of Arrangements. 

Dear Sir: — Your circular, inviting me to be present at the celebra- 
tion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the organization of 
the church and society in Franklin, was received in due time. 

I thank you for the invitation. I sympathize with the sentiment 
which prompts to such a celebration. It is well to bind the present to 
the past with ties of grateful remembrance. The full stream may not 



139 

despise the little spring whence it took its rise. The generation of to- 
day ought not to think lightly of the work of their fathers, which is the 
very spring of their present prosperity, that patient industry which has 
changed the sterile hills of old Franklin into fruitful fields ; that frugality 
which has gathered plenty from a reluctant soil ; that sobriety and vir- 
tue which have adorned, and still adorn, so many happy homes ; that 
substantial piety which has given strength and dignity and grace to so 
many unheralded lives, and has crowned them with peace at their ending ; 
all have been due beyond measure to the presence of that little church 
on Meeting House hill. I am glad you are to recall the past and set in 
honor those who in by-gone years wrought for the results which are the 
rich inheritance of those living to-day. 

It is well, too, by such a review to learn more fully the lesson of 
God's faithfulness and love. Above man's agency is God's blessing. 
That blessing has been the best thing in the past history of the church ; 
that constitutes the chief worth of the inheritance which the present 
possesses. To make grateful acknowledgement of God's goodness, and 
to secure larger measures of his blessing, will doubtless be one chief 
object of your anniversary exercises. I regret that it is quite impossible 
for me to be with you. Distance and pressure of duties will prevent 
my coming. Thanking you again for your invitation, and wishing you 
all hoped for success in the proposed celebration, I remain, 
Yours, very sincerely, 

ISAAC CLARK. 



POEM, 

FROM MISS HYDE, 

OF 

A7idovcr, Conn. 

October, 1718. 
October, 1868. 

Their graves are with us to this day. 

With hillock green and mossy stone. 
Whose crumbling records pass away. 
Whose memory we would guard for aye. 
Heirs of the work they here begun. 

So to this hilltop's ancient shrine 
Our pilgrim feet to-day repair; 

Grateful we trace the ancestral line. 

And own the covenant divine. 

Whose blessings we so richly share. 

This day, for their memorial claimed, 
To kindred ties and greetings given. 
Tells of the rest which they have gained. 
Gathered to Him, of whom are named 
The family of earth and heaven. 



Index of Names. 



Abell, Abigail, 72 ; Alpheus, 38 ; Benjamin, 49 ; Caleb, 49 ; Experi- 
ence, 56; Joshua, 17, 21, 26, 49, 42, 62; Julietta, 73; Mary, 
63 J Simon, 38. 

Adgate, Hannah, 52 ; Dea. Thomas, 48. 

AiTCHisoN, Rev. William, 88. 

xAllen, Dea. Samuel, 112. 

Allyn, Edward A., 62; Elizabeth, 63; Secretary John, 46; Rob- 
ert, 48. 

Andrews, Christian, 51. 

Arms, Rev. Hiram P., D.D., 10, 130; Rev. Wm. F., 88. 

Armstrong, Asa, 38; Benjamin, 17, 21, 25, 49; Benjamin, 2d, 38; 
Jeremiah, 38 ; John, 17, 21, 25, 49; Jonathan, 49; Joseph, 49; 
Stephen, 49. - 

Armstrongs, 32. 

Arnold, John, 49. 

Arnold Place, 22, 50. 

Ashbury, Rev. Bishop Francis, 70. 

Attawanhood, son of Uncas, 45, 46. 

Avery, Christopher, 36 ; Rev. David, 64, 65, 66, 68 ; Rev 
Ephraim K., 87 ; John, 65; Lydia (Smith), 65; Rev. Jared R., 
107, 130. 

Ayer, Bailey, 92; E. Eugene, 5 ; John, 15, 50, 85; Joseph, 21, 25, 
38; Joseph, Jr., 25, 38, 50, 66; Love, 57, 85; Mary (Bailey), 
66; Rev. Oliver, 65, 66; Timothy, 38. 

Ayerses, 32. 

Ayer's Gap, 50. 

10 



142 

B 

Backus, Rev. Azel, D.D., 35, 51, 64,66, ()-j ; Rev. Charles, D.D., 35, 

51, 64, 6"], 68, 71, 72; Deborah (Fanning), 66; Miss Elizabeth, 

88; Eunice (Kingsbury), 67; Hannah, 51 ; Jabez, Sen., 51, 67; 

Jabez, Jr., 66 ; Jabez, 3d, 68 ; John, 50 ; Joseph, 50 ; Rev. Joseph 

W., 64, 68, 131; Mary, 56; Mary Ann, 67; Nathaniel, 50 ; 

Stephen, 48 ; William, Sen., 66, 67 ; Lieut. William, Jr., 48, 50 ; 

William, 3d, 50. 
Badger, John, 22, 25, 51 ; Samuel, 38, 51. 
Badgers, 32. 
Baker, Joseph, 25. 
Baldwin, John, 48. 
Baltic House, 55. 
Baret, Margaret, 56. 
Barker, Hannah (Brewster), 79; Jerusha, 83; John, Sen., 79; Doct. 

John, 38, 79, 80, 82, 83; Doct. John, 2d, 64; Capt. Joshua, 39; 

Doct. Samuel H., 82. 
Barkers, 32. 
Barstow, Ebenezer, 51 ; Jerusha, 55 ; Job, 51, 55, 59; Jonathan, 51 ; 

Yet-once, 5 1. 
Batchelor, John, 55 ; Rebecca, 55. 
Beckwith, Elizabeth, 52. 
Bell, Dr. Robert, 78. 
Bellamy, Rev. Joseph, D.D., 67. 
Benedict, Rev. Joel, D.D., 74. 
Bennet, Edward, 77 ; Phebe Eliza, i"]. 
Bingham, Joseph, 38; Mary, 51 ; Sarah, 81 ; Thomas, Sen., 51 ; Dea. 

Thomas, 48, 5 1. 
Birchard, James, 21, 26, 52 ; John, 16, 48, 51 ; Thomas, 51. 
Birchards, 32. 
Blackman, Benjamin, 57. 
Bliss, Thomas, 48. 
Blythe, Thomas, 79. 
BosTwiCK, Rev. Shadrick, 70. 
Bowers, Morgan, 48. 
Bradford, John, 48. 
Bradley, Alice, 74; Stephen Rowe, 87. 
Bray, Rev. Thomas Welles, 90. 
Brett, Ephraim, 38 ; William, 38, 89. 
Brewer, Mrs. (Laura L. Giddings), 88. 
Brown, Elijah, 66; Phebe, 66. 



143 

Buckingham, Hon. Wm. A., 137. 
Burgess, Dr. Reuben, 81. 
Burr, Aaron, 85. 

BusHNELL, Elizabeth, 57; Joseph, 51 ; Rebecca, 51; Capt. Richard, 
24* 57- 



c 

Case, Ebenezer, 64. 

Caulkins, Miss F. M., 7, 12, 135 ; Dea. Hugh, 48; John, 48. 

Chapin, Rev. Calvin, D.D., 73. 

Chaplain, Hannah, 66. 

Chapman, Simon, 38. 

Chappel, Ezra, Esq., 42, 43. 

Cherry, Mrs. (Charlotte H. Lathrop), 88 ; Mrs (Jane E. Lathrop), 88. 

Chester, Rev. A. T., D.D., 65, 68, 138; Anson G., 65, 117, 136; 

Rev. C. H., 116. 
Clark, Rev. Isaac, 138. 
Collins, Rev. Ambrose, 90. 
Converse, Rev. Geo. S., 64, 68 ; Wm. M., 5. 
Cooley, Rev. Timothy Mather, D.D., 68. 
Copeland, Mrs. C. C. (Cornelia Ladd), 88. 
Corliss, Sarah, 50. 
Cornell, Sarah Maria, 87. 
CoRwiN, Dea. Phineas, 1 1 2. 
Crain, Jonathan, 6^. 
Crocker, Hannah, 52; Jabez, 52; John, 52; Samuel, 52; Samuel, 

Jr., 52. 
Crockers, 32. 
Cross, John Q., 61 ; Peter, 63. 



D 

Demming, Melicent, 67. 

Dennison, Gen. Daniel, 85 ; Rev. Joseph, 90, Ruth, 57; Thomas, 36, 

89, 101. 
Dexter, F. B., 12. 
Dickinson, Rev. James T., 88. 
Doane, Rt. Rev. Bishop, jj. 
Downer, Andrew, 52; Artemas, the Schoolmaster, 33; Joseph, Sen., 

22, 25, 52; Joseph, Jr., 52; Dr. Joshua, of Preston, 81 ; Miss 

Lucinda, Missionary, 88 ; Richard, 52. 



144 

Downers, 32. 

Dudley, Gov. Thomas, 85. 

DuRKEE, Dea. John, 36, 52, 112 ; John, of Ipswich, 52. 

DwiGHT, Rev. Timothy, D.D., 67. 

DuYCKlNCK, 67. 



E 

Eaton, Gen. William, 41. 

Edgerton, Hon. Alfred P., 35, 53; Bela, 53, 65, 115; David, 42, 
53; Hannah, 51 ; Joseph, 22, 25, 53; Richard, 48; Samuel, 

25» 53. Ill- 
Edgertons, 32. 
Elderkin, James, 34, 38 ; Mrs, James, 34 ; John, Sen., Carpenter and 

Millwright, 53 ; Sergt. John, Jr., 21, 25, 53. 
Elliot, 47, 48, 
Ellis, Asher, M.D., 69; Dr. Benjamin, 81 ; Rev. Jonathan, 64, 68; 

Rev. John, 19, 39, 68, 81, 102 ; Rebecca (Huntington), 69 ; Rev. 

Robert F., 69; Sally P., 85 ; Rev. Stephen, 69 ; Stephen, Sen., 69. 



Fargo, Dwight, 57. 

Fessenden, Benjamin, of Sandwich, 72 ; Lucy, 72. 

Fillmore, Rev. Amaziah, 69, 70; Comfort, 69; Rev. C. D., 70; 
Daniel, 70; Rev. Hiel, 70; Rev. Jesse, 12, 71, 132; John, 
"Mariner," of Ipswich, Mass., 153; Capt. John, 21, 38, 53, 69, 
78, 84, 89; Hon. Millard, 21, 35, 84; Nathaniel, 84; Zerviah 
(Bosworth), 69. 

FiLLMORES, 32. 

Fitch, Rev. James, 15, 48. 

Foster, Rev. Isaac, 90; Hon. L. F. S., 35, 61, 65, 78, 83, 115. 

Fox, Eliphalet, 38 ; Fox Heirs, 91. 

French, Andrew, 38. 

Frink, John, 58. 

Fulton, Mary, 69. 



Gager, John, the Proprietor, 49, 54; John, the original settler at West 
Farms, 22, 55; John, 54; Samuel, 54; Dr. William, 54. 



145 

Gagers, 32. 

Gaylor, 79. 

George, Rev. Bishop, 70. 

GiFFORD, Stephen, 48. 

GiLMAN, Prof. D. C, 12 ; Rev. E. W., 7. 

Gleason, Rev. Anson, 88, 130, 133; Mrs. (B. W. Tracy), 88. 

Greenslit, Dea. Nathaniel C, 112. 

Gregory, Joanna, 61 ; Miss Miriam, of Stratford, 61. 

Griswold, Caleb, 55 ; Lieut. Francis, the Proprietor, 48, 55 ; James C, 

53; Samuel, the Settler, 21, 55 ; Capt. Samuel, 55. 
Griffin, Joseph A., 58. 
GuLic, Mrs. (F. H. Thomas), 88, 



H 

Hall, Rev. Gordon, 75. 

Harmar, Gen. Joseph, 85. 

Harrison, Gen. Wm. H., 76, 86; Rev. George J., 107, 131. 

Hart, Rev. Levi, D.D., 67, 71. 

Hartshorne, Abigail, 61 ; Capt. Asa, 39, 55; Dea. David, 21, 22, 24, 

26, 27, 55, 111, 112; Doct. David, 78,79; Capt. Ebenezer, 39; 

Ebenezer, Esq., 33, 61 ; Doct. Elijah, 55, 71, 81 ; Rev. Elijah, 

64, 71; Jonathan, 22, 25, 55; Samuel, 21 ; Samuel G., 6; 

Thomas, of Reading, Mass., 55. 
Hartshornes, 32. 
Harris, John, 64. 
Haskell, Mrs. H. B., 88. 

Hastings, Bela T., 6, 57; Dan, 6; Dea. Benjamin S., 112. 
Hazen, Charles T., 52; Jacob, 25; John, 25; Dr. John, 64; Mrs. 

Mary, 55 ; Lieut. Thomas, 21, 25, 26, 55, ill; Thomas, Jr., 25. 
Hedding, Rev. Bishop, 70, 71. 

Hill, Bethia, 68 ; Jacob, of Cambridge, Mass., 68. 
HoBART, Rt. Rev. Bishop John Henry, D.D., 71. 
Hogskin, William, 22. 
Hooker, Rev. Asahel, 73. 
Howard, Thomas, 48. 
Hull, Gen. William, 86. 

HUNNEWELL, Job, 1 6. 

Hunt, Dea. Joseph, 112. 
Hunter, Ebenezer, 78. 

10* 



146 

Huntington, Hon. Abel, M.D., 35, 83; Anne (Wright), 71 ; Hon. 
Asahel, 56, 64, 71, 136 ; Rev. Asahel, 56, 65, 71 ; Dr. Asher, 83 ; 
Azariah, 56; Dea. Azariah, 112; Dea. Barnabas, 71, 83, 112; 
Christopher, the Proprietor, 48, 56; Christopher, the first white 
male child born in Norwich, 56; Christopher, the early Settler, 
22, 25, 56; Dr. Christopher, 81 ; Rev. David, 65, 71; Rev. 
Elijah B., 12; Dr. Elisha, 65, 71 ; Elizabeth, 56; Elizabeth 
(Huntington), 71 ; Ezra, 71 ; Dr. Gurdon, 83; Hezekiah, 6; 
Simon, the Immigrant, 56; William, 56. 

HUNTINGTONS, 32. 

HuTCHENs, John, 64. 

Hyde, Abner, 80 ; Rev. Alvan, D.D., 56, 65, 68, 72, 74; Rev. 
Charles, 72; Eli, 72; Rev. Eli, 64, 72, 88; Elizabeth, the first 
white child born in Norwich, 56; Hon. Ephraim H., 7, 35, 56, 
84; Horatio, 55 ; Capt. Jabez, 22, 56, 57; Capt. Jacob, 21, 59, 
60, 79, 89; Jacob, Jr., 38; Capt. James, 39; Jared, 56; John, 
56, 72; Judge John, 57; Rev. John, 56, 64, 73; Joseph, 38, 
72, 73; Joseph I., 5, 51, 59; Rev. Lavius, 56, 65, 73; Lewis, 
Esq., 57; Capt. Matthew, 56; Mary, daughter of 1st Thomas, 
59; Mary, daughter of Capt. Jacob, 59, 74; Dr. Nathaniel, 80; 
Phineas, Sen., 82; Dr. Phineas, 82 ; Rebecca (Barker), 73 ; Rhoda 
(Lathrop), 72 ; Samuel, the Proprietor and first Settler, 16, 48, 52, 
56; Samuel Jr., 25 ; 1st Thomas, 21,25, 56, 59, 73, 84; 2d 
Thomas, 56; 3d, or Capt. Thomas, 56; Tommy, 51 ; Vaniah, 
73 ; William, the Proprietor, 48, 56, 72, 73, 84; William B., 6. 

Hydes, 32. 



Ives, Rev. Jesse, 90, 



J 

Jarvis, Penelope, 81. 

Jennison, Rev. Isaac, 71. 

JOHNSON, Rev. Abner, 90 ; Ebenezer, 22, 25; Dea. Isaac, 57, 112; 

John, 16, 25, 57; O. Lewis, 6, 52, 56; William, 57. 
Johnsons, 32. 

Jones, Rev. Elisha C, 115 ; Rev. Franklin C, 5, 6, 95, 107. 
JuDsoN, Rev. Adoniram, 75 : Rev. Ephraim, 90. 



147 
K 

Kingsbury, Andrew, 57 ; Capt. Asa, 85 ; Ephraim, 57, 80, 112; Eunice, 
51 ; Col. Jacob, 39, 57, 85, 86; Hon. John, 57, 64; Jonathan, 
64; Dea. Joseph, Sen., 25, 57, 85, 111, 112; Dea. Joseph, Jr., 
25, 33, 57, 111, 112; Dr. Obadiah, 80 ; Sanford, 64. 

KiNGSBURYS, 32. 

KiNGSLEY, Charles A., 5, 6; Henry W., 5, 6, 49; Jason W., 63, 79; 
John, 38; Samuel, 38; Col. Thomas G., 51. 

Knowlton, Col. Thomas, 39, 83. 



Ladd, Abner, 38; Rev. Beaufort, 65, 74; David, 2I, 25, 38, 57; 
David, 38, 58; David, 38; Erastus P., 55; Ezekiel, 38, 57; 
Henry L. M., 55; Jonathan, 25; Joseph, 57; Joseph D., 57; 
Nathaniel, 25, 57; Samuel, 25, 111 ; Samuel, Jr., 38. 

Ladds, 32. 

Lamb, Guilbert, 53. 

Langly, Sims, 25. 

Lathrop, Barnabas, 38 ; Elijah, 82 ; Israel, Sen., 58 ; Sergt. Israel, Jr , 
22, 25, 58 ; Jesse, 58 ; Capt. John, 22, 58 ; Rev. John, of Lon- 
don and afterwards of Scituate and Barnstable, 58 ; Rev. John, 
D.D., of Boston, 58; Leander, 38; Samuel, 58; William, 58. 

Lathrops, 32. 

Ledyard, John, 36. 

Lee, Jane, 56; Rev. Joseph, 90; Thomas, 56. 

Leffingwell, Elizabeth, 63 ; Lieut. Thomas, 48. 

Lord, Alethea, 71 ; David N., 64; Dr. Elisha, 71 ; Rev. Nathan L., 
M.D., 88. 



M 

Manwaring, Rev. William H., 88. 

Marshall, O. H., 65. 

Mason, Dorothy (Hobert), 58 ; Edward, 62 ; James F., 58 ; Jeremiah, 

22, 58; Col. Jeremiah, 87; Hon. Jeremiah, 35, 58, 64, 87; 

Major John, 14, 15, 46, 48, 58, 87. 
Masons, 32. 
M'Call, Dea. Dyer, 41, 112; Lucy, 41. 



148 

Metcalf, Rev. David, 136. 

MooDAM, Mary, 50. 

Moore, Rt. Rev. Bishop, 'jd ; Rt. Rev. Richard Channing, yy ; Rev. 

William H., 130; William, 16, 63; Zephaniah S., D.D., 68; 
Morgan, Tabatha, 33. 
MosELEY, Increase, 21, 25, 58, 74; Increase, Jr., 59 ; Mary, 74; Rev. 

Peabody, 59, 74. 
Motley, Hon. John L., the Historian, 58. 
MoTT, Lydia A., 69. 
MuNSELL, Henry, 74; Rev. Jabez, 65, 74; Sarah (Hyde), 74. 

N 

Newell, Rev. Samuel, 75. 

NoTT, Deborah (Selden), 74; Rev. Eliphalet, D.D., 41, 65, 74, 75; 
John, 74; Rev. John W., 65, 75 ; Roxana (Peck), 76, 88 ; Rev. 
Samuel, D.D., 19, 40, 41, 66, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 83, 104, 
129, 130, 131, 132, 137; Rev. Samuel, Jr., 65, 75, 88; Sarah, 
73; Stephen, 74; Rev. Stephen, T., 65, 76; Susan, 73. 

O 

OccuM, Rev. Samson, 88. 

Olmstead, Dr. John, 48, 77, 78. 

Oneco, or Owaneco, son of Uncas, 45, 46, 



Pease, John, 48. 

Peck, Capt. Bela, 59; Benjamin, 22, 26, 29, 59; Elizabeth, 59; Hen 

ry, 59 ; Simon, 38. 
Pember, Agnes, 57; John, 21, 57; Thomas, 57. 
Pembers, 32. 

Pendleton, Col. Gurdon, 59. 
Perkins, Dr. Joseph, 79. 
Perry, Mrs., (H. L. Lathrop), 88. 
Pessechus, Sachem of the Narragansetts, 62. 
Pettis, Peter, 59; Samuel, 22, 59. 
Pettises, 32. 
Philip, son of Massasoit and Sachem of Poknoket (usually known as 

"King Philip,") 16, 17. 
Phillips, Capt. John, the Pirate, 53. 



149 



Pitcher, Lieut. Jonathan, 38. 
PoRTiPAUG, 47. 
Post, John, 48 ; Mary, 61. 
Potter, Rev. William, 88. 
Pratt, Experience, 53. 
Prentice, Rev. Erastus L., ^d. 



R 



Raymond, Samuel, 38. 

Reed, Josiah, 48. 

Reynolds, John, 48 ; Joseph, 22, 25, 51, 59; Joseph, Sen., 59. 

Rice, Rev. Mr., an early Missionary of the A. B. of C. for F. M., 75. 

Ripley, Alice, 53; Rachel, 63. 

Robinson, Lavius A., 6. 

Rockwell, Daniel, 25 ; Ruth, 56. 

Rogers, Dr. Ezekiel, 79 ; John, the proto martyr, 79 ; Dr. Theophilus, 
79, 82; Dr. Theophilus, Jr., 81. 

RoGERSES, 32. 

Rood, Micah, 22, 60, 61, 79; Thomas, 60, 

Roods, 32. 

Rous, Jabez, 38. 

RoYCE, Amos F., 5, 6 ; Jonathan, 48 ; Jonathan, Jr., 25, 64. 

RuDD, Rev. John C, D.D., 69, 76, "Ji , 88 ; Jonathan, 61 ; Jonathan, 
Jr., 61; Jonathan, 3d, ']6', Joseph, 38; Mary, 51 ; Mary (Hun- 
tington), 76; Sergt. Nathaniel, 17, 21, 26, 61, ill; Nathaniel, 
Jr., 21, 61. 

RuDDS, 32. 



Sabin, Benajah, 38, 89, 91 ; Dr. John, 21, 61, 78, 83. 

Saltonstall, Gov. Gurdon, 25 ; Sir Richard, 85. 

Sanford, Miss Velina, 42. 

Shetucket River, 47. 

Shipman, Rev. Thomas L., 129. 

Sluman, Sarah (Bliss), 64; Thomas, Sen., 61 ; Thomas, 22, 2t;, 

27, 61. 
Slumans, 32. 
Smith, Andrew B., 12, 62; Backus, 51 ; Edward, 62; Mrs. Eli 

(Sarah L. Huntington), 88; Elizabeth (Hartshorne), 77 ; Ezra L., 



ISO 



, 6; Hon. Gerrk, of Peterboro, 67; John O., 6; Rev Joshua, 
6'2 64 77, 88; Joshua, Sen., 77; J^dah, 33; Lovell K., 6; 
02, 04, //, .J ,0 .n 62 • Sergt. Obadiah, 22, 25, 

Mehetabel, 49 ; Nehemiah, 48, 49. ^^ , sergi. ' , . ^ 

26, 62; Owen S., 6; Prentice O., 5, 6; Dea. Henry N., nz. 

Spiller, Mary, 54. t> -n -n 1 7 67 

Spkace, Messrs. A. and W., 53; Rev. W.lham B., D.D., 12, 67, 



68, 72. 
Squire, John, 38. 
Standish, Capt. Miles, 83. 
Stanton, Rev. Robert P., 64, 77. 
Starkweather, George E., 49, 55- 
Starr, Miss Eunice, 88 ; Hannah, 78. 
Stetson, Thomas D., 132. 

Stoddard, Samuel, 25. 

Story, Daniel, 38. 

Strong, Rev. Cyprian, D.D., 73. 

Susquetomscot River, 47. 

Sweet, Dr. Stephen, 50. 



Trr-Ho^'iltt H.ne. 3;. 63; A,«o„a. 6., Deborah S9, 
Eliphale., 87 > D. EU.ha. 63. 64. ^'> Ehz.be.h 50 Cap. 
Tohn the Proprietor and Settler, 16, 22, 48, 62. 63. 78. Sj , °hn, 
id 62 63; Hon. John, 6th, 35. 4'. ^3 ; Capt. Joseph, M, 5^, 
T' fi, 8, ■ loslah 3d 91 ; Miriam, 63 ; Dr. Philemon, 21, 63, 

; '.'Hon! m.;eL L.! 35 ; ^- B"'"-"./^ ^ H^'-=^;lr3T 
„ a6 48 62 63,78; Hon. Uri, 35.63,64; Hon. Unah, 35, 
6;XJ;X^W,Us,-. Sergt. Winslow,22. 35. 62, 63. 



Tracts, 32 
Treadway, Rev. Joseph, 90. 
Trumble (Trumbull), Jonathan, 36. 
Trumbull, J. Hammond, 12, 46. 
Turner, Dr. Phillip, 81. 



U 
Uncas, Sachem of the Mohegan Indians. 14, 15> 45, 46> 62 ; SamUel, 8.. 



151 
w 

Walworth, Hon. R. H., LL.D., 12. 

Ward, Benjamin, 82. 

Waterman, Miss Betty, 34 ; Cibel, 33 ; Ebenezer, Jr., 33 ; John, 25 ; 
John, 63 ; John, Jr., 52 ; Dr. Luther, 39, 83 ; Robert, of Marsh- 
field, 63 ; Ensign Thomas, 49, 55, 63 ; Thomas, 63. 

Waters, Mary, 57. 

Waugh, Rev. Bishop, 71. ' 

Wawequa, brother of Uncas, 15. 

Wayland, Rev. Francis, D.D., 75. 

Wheelock, Rev. Eleazar, D.D., 66. 

Whitfield, Rev. George, 65. 

WicoM, Daniel, 25. 

Wilcox, Carlos, 74. 

WiLLEs, Rev. Henry, 50, 96, 98, 101, 111 ; Herman H., 5, 59; Dea. 
Joshua, 112; Dea. Joseph H., 112. 

Williams, Roger, 47. 

WiNSLOw, Gov. Edward, 62; Mary, 62; Rev. Miron, 88; Mrs. Rev. 
Miron (H. L. Lathrop), 88. 

WiNTHROP, John, first Governor of Massachusetts, 54. 

Wolcott, Sen., Gov. Oliver, 67. 

Wood, Josiah, 38 ; Thomas, 25, 64. 

Woods, Rev. Leonard, D.D., 60. 

Woodward, Dr. Ashbel, 5, 8, 11, 81, 112; James C, 5; P. Henry, 
64 ; Richard William, 64. 

Worden, Samuel, 78 ; Dr. Thomas, 78. 

Worth, Anne, 49. 



Yantic River, 47. 



J Ub 



